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Diabetes Epidemic Grips Pakistan: One in Three Adults Affected
14 Nov
Summary
- Diabetes affects 34.5 million people in Pakistan, including one in three adults
- Pakistan has the highest diabetes burden globally in percentage terms
- Four in 10 people affected by diabetes in the region are unaware of their condition
According to a press release issued on World Diabetes Day 2025, Pakistan is facing a severe diabetes epidemic. The health ministry and the World Health Organisation have warned that one in three adults in the country, or 34.5 million people, are affected by the disease.
Pakistan currently has the highest diabetes burden globally in percentage terms and hosts more than 40% of the total estimated cases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Alarmingly, four in 10 people affected by diabetes in the region are unaware of their condition, increasing their risk of serious health complications such as blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, and lower limb amputations.
The authorities are partnering to organize special diabetes screening activities and urge people to adopt a healthy lifestyle, including maintaining a balanced diet, staying physically active, and avoiding tobacco and excessive sugar intake. Early detection and timely treatment are crucial to minimizing the consequences of this "silent killer" that can affect people of any age.
The Health Minister has emphasized the government's commitment to promoting early detection, free screening, and healthier lifestyles through the Prime Minister's Diabetes Programme. The WHO representative in Pakistan has also stressed the importance of prevention and regular medical checkups to combat this growing public health crisis.
