Indus Vitals

Doctors and religious scholars stress informed decision-making, warn against health risks of unsupervised fasting KARACHI: As Ramadan approaches, religious scholars and diabetes specialists have warned that fasting without proper guidance can pose serious health risks for patients with diabetes. They stressed that those medically advised not to fast should not feel guilty, as Islamic teachings provide exemptions for those whose health may be harmed. The caution came during the “Diabetes and Ramadan Patient Awareness Program” organised by the National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (NIDE) at Dow University of Health Sciences’ Ojha Campus. The event was chaired by NIDE Director Dr Musarrat Riaz and attended by numerous diabetic patients along with their family members. Speaking at the seminar, Dr Musarrat Riaz said the programme aimed to provide “accurate, scientific, and practical guidance” to diabetic patients regarding fasting. She highlighted the need for collaboratio...

IV Report KARACHI: Pakistan is facing a daunting challenge with an estimated 33 million diabetes patients, accounting for 6% of global estimates. The statistics are staggering, with 0.99 million suffering from foot ulcers, 6.6 million experiencing eye problems, and 9.24 million undergoing dialysis. Experts warn that if left unchecked, Pakistan may top the list of countries with the highest number of diabetes patients. The severity of diabetes complications is further compounded by the fact that many individuals remain unaware they have the disease. Dr Zahid Mian, a renowned diabetes expert, highlights that a single dialysis session costs at least 5,000 rupees, translating to a monthly economic burden of 60,000 rupees for three sessions per week. Globally, the picture is equally concerning, with 540 million people suffering from diabetes and an estimated 643 million by 2030. Every six seconds, two people are diagnosed with diabetes, and in low- and middle-income countries, four out ...