Pakistan is grappling with a severe diabetes epidemic, as the number of affected adults surged to 36 million in 2022, up from 33 million previously reported. This alarming increase, highlighted in a recent study published by The Lancet, underscores a national health emergency, particularly among women, whose diabetes rate has skyrocketed from 9% in 1990 to 30.9% in 2022—the largest increase globally.
The study, conducted by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), reveals that over 800 million adults worldwide are living with diabetes, a dramatic rise from 198 million in 1990. More concerning is that 59% of these individuals—445 million—did not receive treatment in 2022. Pakistan exemplifies the crisis facing many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where both disease rates and lack of treatment are escalating.
Prof. Abdul Basit, Secretary General of the Diabetic Association of Pakistan (DAP), expressed deep concern, urging collective action to prevent complications from untreated diabetes. “We need to standardize care and ensure access to affordable treatments. But more importantly, we must focus on preventing diabetes in the first place,” he emphasized.
The global study, which analyzed data from over 140 million people, paints a concerning picture of diabetes trends. From 1990 to 2022, the global diabetes rate doubled, affecting about 14% of adults. While some countries, particularly in North America, Western Europe, and parts of East Asia, have improved treatment rates, LMICs like Pakistan face dire challenges, with significant disparities in treatment access and healthcare outcomes.
Among the most troubling findings, Pakistan’s diabetes rate among women reached 30.9% in 2022, marking an unprecedented rise. Globally, diabetes is most prevalent in countries like India, China, and the United States, with Pakistan ranking high among nations with the largest number of affected individuals. This surge is compounded by the rising number of untreated diabetes cases in Pakistan, mirroring trends in other developing nations.
The study underscores the urgent need for national and global action to address this crisis. Prof. Majid Ezzati of Imperial College London, the study’s lead author, highlighted “widening global inequalities in diabetes treatment, especially in LMICs, where diabetes rates are rising sharply, but treatment access remains stagnated.”
The study stresses the importance of early detection and effective treatment, often lacking in countries with rapid diabetes growth. Dr. Ranjit Mohan Anjana from the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation called for more ambitious policies, particularly in South Asia, to promote healthy eating, physical activity, and stricter regulations on unhealthy foods. “Preventing diabetes through a healthy diet and exercise is essential for better health globally,” he said.
In Pakistan, the challenge is compounded by a lack of awareness, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and poor access to essential medicines. Prof. Abdul Basit emphasized the need for a concerted effort to provide standardized care, ensure affordable medication, and focus on public health campaigns to prevent the spread of diabetes. “If we do not act now, the long-term consequences for Pakistan’s healthcare system will be catastrophic,” he warned.
The Lancet study paints a grim picture of the global diabetes crisis, with Pakistan facing a particularly steep challenge. While the disease continues to rise in both men and women, the stark increase in the number of women with diabetes underscores the need for targeted interventions and gender-sensitive healthcare policies.
