KARACHI: As diabetes is on the rise across the world, particularly in developing countries, it is estimated that 80 per cent of diabetic people in 2035 will belong to countries such as Pakistan, said a consultant diabetologist at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation on Saturday.

Dr Fatema Jawad was speaking at an awareness programme organised by the SIUT to mark World Diabetes Day. Theorganisers also had set up free screening camps for visitors at the institute.

Health experts at the programme informed the visitors about how rapidly the disease was on the rise in developing countries and the ways and means to live with it.

Dr Jawad said that diabetes mellitus was a chronic metabolic disorder, which was spreading alarmingly, with 400 million people suffering from it the world over at present. `This figure is steadily rising and is estimated to reach 592 million by 2035. It is also speculated that 80pc of those peoplewill belong to developing countries like Pakistan,` she added.

The International Diabetes Federation has declared Nov 14 a day to create awareness about steps to prevent diabetes and its complications. This day pays tribute to Sir Frederick Banting, the discoverer of insulin, whowasbornonNov14.

The experts spoke on this year`s theme `healthy living with diabetes`, which focused on a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle. They said diet began with a healthy breakfast, the most important meal of the day. To keep all the blood chemistry in nor-mal ranges, the breakfast should be early and had sufHcient proteins, carbohydrates and fibre.

The visitors had the facility of free blood glucose screening test along with their vitals such as blood pressure and weight and estimation of obesity. They were provided expert advice and also given instructions on making their health better. Dieticians, doctors, nurses and educators were there to answer their queries.

It was followed by an interactive session between doctors and the audience comprising people from all walks of life.