RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU) has launched a major awareness campaign on diabetes in connection with World Diabetes Day, observed on Friday. As part of the campaign, RMU organised awareness walks at two of its allied hospitals — Holy Family Hospital (HFH) and Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH).
Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi led the awareness walk at HFH, accompanied by RMU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Umar and HFH Medical Superintendent Dr Ijaz Butt. During the visit, the minister also distributed free glucometers to diabetic patients.
This year’s World Diabetes Day theme is “Diabetes and Well-being,” with a special focus on “Diabetes and the Workplace.” The theme highlights the need for proper care and a supportive environment for all people living with diabetes.
To mark the day, RMU also arranged seminars at BBH and HFH where medical experts discussed new developments in the management of Diabetes Mellitus (DM).
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A large number of doctors, nurses and paramedics from RMU’s allied hospitals attended the sessions. Many diabetic patients and their attendants also joined the awareness walks.
Speaking on the occasion, Professor Mohammad Umar said that diabetes is rising rapidly in Pakistan, adding that the country has one of the highest diabetes prevalence rates in the world, with nearly 33 million people affected.
He told Private Newspaper that RMU has set up Free Diabetic Clinics in all three allied hospitals — HFH, BBH and Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital — where medicines, including insulin, are being provided at no cost under the Punjab Chief Minister’s programme.
He added that RMU has also launched a Non-Communicable Disease Clinic under the “DM-Free Rawalpindi City” initiative in Rawal Town.
