Awareness vital for controlling diabetes: MoPH

KABUL officials on Sunday expressed their concern about the surge in diabetes cases and urged more steps to spread awareness regarding the dangerous illness.

Dr. Abdul Qadir, acting head of Public Health Ministry Finance and Administration, expressed concern over the increase in diabetes cases and termed it a challenge for the health sector.

He was addressing a gathering marking World Diabetes Day. He termed diabetes as eighth fatal illness in the world and added 22 million people annually contracted diabetes and out of which 1.6 million lost their lives.

He said the lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, use of tobacco and lack of awareness were main reasons why people contracted diabetes.

Dr. Qadir stressed nurses’ role in controlling diabetes as half of health personnel in the world were nurses.

He said through expanded public awareness programs, the MoPH was committed to educating people about diabetes.

Dr. Petar, representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), termed public awareness as vital in controlling diabetes and pledged WHO commitment in implementation of MoPH programs on controlling diabetes.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin, or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces.

Over the long-term, high glucose levels are associated with damage to the body and failure of various organs and tissues.

Diabetes is a leading cause of heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation. Early diagnosis and treatment are key elements to prevent the complications of diabetes and achieve healthy outcomes.

nh/ma

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