The increasing prevalence of these diseases will prove to be a huge challenge for Pakistan’s healthcare system in the near future.
The prevalence of non-communicable diseases has become a major problem in the world, due to which millions of people are suffering from heart disease, diabetes, obesity, kidney diseases and some types of cancer. 60% of deaths in Pakistan are due to these non-communicable diseases. Heart and related diseases are increasing at an alarming rate in Pakistan. More than 240,720 people die annually in Pakistan due to heart diseases. Excessive consumption of unhealthy foods such as sugar, salt, fat and fried foods is one of the major causes of heart diseases. To reduce heart diseases, we need to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Walk and make exercise a regular part of your life, avoid stress, control obesity, avoid smoking and eat a healthy diet. This alarming issue was highlighted in a sensitization session organized at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology. The session aimed to educate people about the consumption of unhealthy food.
Dr. Anjum Jalal, Executive Director, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, said that 17.9 million people die every year in the world due to heart diseases. According to WHO data in 2020, 240,720 people died due to heart diseases in Pakistan annually. Today, we must reiterate that we should adopt a healthy lifestyle. Make exercise a regular part of our lives and be careful in choosing food. Dr. Anjum added that non-communicable diseases including heart, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and kidney diseases are the leading causes of death worldwide. To avoid these diseases, adopt a simple lifestyle, avoid excessive consumption of fried foods, salt and sugar in the diet, especially ultra-processed products (UPPs).
General Secretary Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) Sanaullah Ghumman said that non-communicable diseases have become a serious challenge to our health as well as our economy. The annual expenditure on diabetes alone is estimated to be more than 2.6 billion US dollars. Along with creating awareness among the people about heart and related diseases, PANAH is also working with the government to enact such legislation that will reduce the incidence of diseases. PANAH is now working with the government on front-of-pack labeling of unhealthy items so that people are better informed about the food they are eating. He said that civil society, government, journalists, health professionals and all active sections of the society will have to work together for a healthy Pakistan.
Munawar Hussain, Health and Nutrition Expert, said that due to the high consumption of ultra-processed products (UPPs), more than 41 percent of adult Pakistanis are overweight or obese, with more than 33 million living with diabetes. If immediate policy action is not taken, this number will increase to 62 million by 2045. He stressed that ultra-processed products loaded with excessive sugar, salt and trans-fats are a major problem. He urged the government to take decisive action, including increasing taxes and introducing front-of-pack warning labels on all products so that people know what they are eating.
