0.9 million people die of diabetes annually in Pakistan: WHO

People with diabetes need to take their own care with proper medical advices and treatment. Professor of Medicine at LUMHS, Jamshoro Dr Bikha Ram Devrajani, talking to APP here on Tuesday, informed that according to the World Health Organization, approximately 0.9 million people die annually due to diabetes in Pakistan.
Pakistan is also ranked at 7th position in the world on the basis of number of patients with diabetes, which is indeed a very alarming figure, he said. Dr Bikha Ram also informed that the diabetic foot problems are caused by changes in blood vessels and nerves that can lead to ulceration and subsequent limb amputation.
Professor Bikha Ram informed that amputations due to diabetes cause disability. He said that in high-income countries, treatment of diabetic foot complication accounts for 15-25 percent of total healthcare resources. He said that leg and foot amputations in people with diabetes can be prevented using low cost, low technology solutions and simple behaviours should be encouraged such as regular foot examination and examining the inside of shoes before putting them on, not walking barefoot, wearing comfortable shoes, keeping feet clean, and maintaining good care of the skin and nails, he added.
About the diet and nutrition Dr Bikha Ram said that patients are usually dependent on soup kitchens or shelters for meals, and it may be difficult to plan meals to coincide with insulin administration. He explained that the coincidence should work with shelters and soup kitchens to promote healthy food choices and to provide snacks to those with diabetes.
About exercise he said that few patients who are homeless, walking is their typical exercise and they usually carry their belongings, which increases the exercise effort. He said that patient with foot problems should take precautionary measures such as proper footwear. He stressed the need of adopting healthy life style, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, periodical checkups and proper management of the diseases after diagnosis for reducing hazards of the silent killer.