DIABETES poses a significant public health and economic challenge for Pakistan, with the country recording one of the highest diabetes prevalence rates globally. As of 2021, around 33 million adults in Pakistan—27% of the adult population—were diabetic, making it the third-largest diabetic population worldwide, following China and India. By 2045, this figure could rise to 62 million without effective interventions.
Urbanization and Lifestyle Changes: Increased sedentary lifestyles in urban areas, coupled with poor dietary habits, have led to a rise in obesity, a major cause of type 2 diabetes.
Dietary Habits: The traditional diet, rich in carbohydrates, fats, and sugars, along with widespread consumption of processed foods, exacerbates the problem.
Genetic Predisposition: South Asians, including Pakistanis, are genetically predisposed to developing diabetes at younger ages and lower body mass indexes (BMIs).
Lack of Awareness and Screening: Nearly 44% of cases remain undiagnosed due to low public awareness and inadequate access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas.
Socioeconomic Disparities: Poverty and limited healthcare access, especially in underprivileged regions, are significant barriers to proper diabetes management.
Diabetes overwhelms Pakistan’s healthcare system, which is already underfunded and overstretched. The direct and indirect costs of managing the disease are immense. • Healthcare Costs: Annual treatment costs are estimated at $2 billion, including expenses for medications, insulin, and management of complications such as heart disease and kidney failure. Insulin costs between PKR 1,000-2,000 ($6-12) per vial, which is unaffordable for many.• Overburdened Healthcare Facilities: Hospitals, especially public ones, struggle to cope with the rising number of diabetes patients. Rural areas face a severe shortage of endocrinologists and specialists. •Insufficient Treatment Access: Many individuals are unable to afford proper care, increasing the risk of severe complications and mortality.
The economic burden of diabetes in Pakistan includes direct medical costs and indirect costs such as productivity losses and premature mortality. • Direct Costs: Diabetes-related healthcare expenditures may consume 5-7% of the national healthcare budget by 2030. The costs of managing complications further strain public finances. • Indirect Costs: Lost productivity due to absenteeism and reduced workforce efficiency, combined with premature deaths, significantly impact GDP. Productivity losses are estimated to cost the country $3.5 billion annually. • Household Financial Strain: Families spend up to 20-25% of their income on diabetes care, driving many into poverty and limiting resources for other essentials like food and education.
Efforts to address the diabetes crisis in Pakistan include health programs, awareness campaigns, and public-private partnerships. However, these initiatives have limited reach, particularly in rural areas.
Prevention Strategies: Awareness campaigns promoting healthy lifestyles, early detection, and better dietary habits are essential to curbing the rising prevalence of diabetes.
Improving Access to Care: Affordable treatment, including subsidies for insulin and medications, is critical for effective diabetes management.
Healthcare System Strengthening: Investments in healthcare infrastructure, specialist training, and diagnostic services are necessary to meet the growing demand for diabetes care. Dedicated diabetes care centers and integration of diabetes management into primary healthcare are also vital. Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborations between the government, NGOs, and international health organizations like WHO and IDF can help scale up education and affordable care.
Diabetes is a major health and economic challenge for Pakistan. Without coordinated and sustained efforts in prevention, treatment, and healthcare system improvements, the burden of diabetes will continue to grow, threatening the well-being of individuals and the country’s economic prosperity. A comprehensive strategy encompassing public awareness, affordable healthcare, and strengthened infrastructure is essential to combating the diabetes epidemic.
—The writer is contributing columnist.
