Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has underlined the urgency of a unified and comprehensive national approach to tackle the alarming rise in diabetes cases across Pakistan.
He was chairing second meeting of the Steering Committee for Prime Minister’s Diabetes Prevention and Control Program in Islamabad Tuesday.
The Minister said the five-year program is aimed at raising awareness and providing preventive care to 33 million Pakistanis, with a total estimated cost of 6.8 million dollars.
He said through the program, millions of people across the country will be educated, screened, and treated through a coordinated effort involving both federal and provincial stakeholders.
Ahsan Iqbal stressed the importance of collaboration among provincial and federal governments under a national action plan to deliver the results matching the scale of crisis.
On the occasion, the Ministry of Health briefed the committee about a newly launched nationwide media campaign focusing on awareness, prevention, control, and treatment.
The campaign includes training for frontline health workers, development of a national diabetes registry, and partnerships with universities for research and outreach.
