Karachi: Head of Medicine Department, Sir Syed Medical College and Director, Sir Syed Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Prof. Dr. M. Zaman Shaikh has said that treatment expenses of diabetes are higher as compared to treatment of other diseases.
A patient belonging to low-income group who earns Rs15,000 per month cannot meet the expenses of doctor’s fee and purchase of medicines for the treatment of diabetes, he said while giving a lecture on “Diabetes; Life Style Modification and its Prevention” at Mohammad Ali Jinnah University, (MAJU) Karachi’s program Executive Breakfast.
He said that in India monthly expenses of a diabetes patient are $ 25 per person, in Afghanistan $ 33, in Nigeria $ 47 and in USA $ 55 per person. On the other hand in Europe diabetes treatment expenses are on much higher side which is around 3,000 pounds annually.
Dr. Zaman Shaikh urged the government to establish diabetes treatment centers in all provinces to provide free treatment facility to the poor people. He said that if a Type-1 patient of diabetes which is known as beginning of these diseases, do not start his treatment; he may die within one year time.
He said that diabetes is called one of the sweetest disease is actually painless and silent killer. He explained that dieting, exercise, medicines and education are four pillars of this disease and its patient is compelled to take five to six tablets per day.
Dr. Zaman Shaikh told that 25 per cent population of the country is victim of this disease which mean every fourth person is diabetic in Pakistan. He said that diabetes is also called white poison, its patients are advised not to use fine flour, salt, sugar, fast foods and cold drinks which are harmful for diabetic patients.
The lecture was arranged by Center for Executive Learning, Development and Diversity at conference room of the university.
President, MAJU, Prof. Dr. Zubair Shaikh, Associate Dean, Dr. Shujaat Mubarak, Director, QEC, Dr. Munir Hussain, HODs Dr. Syed Noman Shah, Dr. Rizwan ul Hassan, Asif Naji and other senior faculty members attended the lecture.