With Pakistan ranking third globally in diabetes prevalence and an alarming one in four of its citizens affected by the condition, the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) has launched a specialized Diabetic Foot Clinic to combat one of the disease’s most severe complications-ulcers that can lead to lifelong disability.
The modern facility, located at the university’s Ojha Campus, was formally opened by Vice Chancellor Prof Nazli Hossain, who underscored the urgent need for such specialized care. She highlighted that complications from the chronic disease often result in severe foot ulcers, which, if not properly managed, cause permanent disability for numerous patients.
Prof. Hossain directed that the newly established clinic be progressively upgraded into a comprehensive, state-of-the-art center fully equipped to meet all patient requirements.
The inauguration was part of a series of events marking World Diabetes Day. Earlier, Prof. Hossain led an awareness walk on campus, which saw a large turnout of students, teachers, and university staff.
Addressing the participants, the Vice Chancellor expressed grave concern over the high number of diabetes cases in the country, noting that a significant portion of the affected population remains unaware of their condition. She emphasized that adopting healthy lifestyle changes is crucial in reducing the prevalence of the disease.
During a subsequent seminar at the National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (NIDE), Director Dr. Musarrat Riaz stated that approximately 8 to 10 percent of individuals with diabetes develop foot ulcer complications that require special medical attention. She noted that early intervention is key to preventing the condition from worsening.
Dr. Riaz described the clinic”s establishment as a major step forward, adding that NIDE currently attends to nearly 200 diabetic patients each day. “Early intervention can prevent the worsening of foot ulcers and protect patients from permanent disability,” she remarked.
The seminar also shed light on gestational diabetes, with Dr. Zareen Kiran explaining that many women are first diagnosed during pregnancy checkups. She cautioned that while healthy childbirth is possible with controlled blood sugar, uncontrolled diabetes poses a significant risk to both the mother and the baby, making timely screening essential.
Dr. Nida Shakeel, another speaker, reiterated that World Diabetes Day is observed globally on November 14 to raise awareness. She advised that women diagnosed with gestational diabetes should continue with annual follow-up tests post-childbirth.
She further recommended that individuals dealing with obesity, high blood pressure, or those on certain long-term medications should also undergo yearly blood sugar testing for early detection.
The events were attended by numerous faculty members, including Dr. Niaz Soomro, Dr. Nisar Ahmed Sial, Dr. Rustam Zaman, Dr. Muhammad Farid, and Dr. Umar Khan.