Over 24,000 children in Pakistan suffer from Type 1 Diabetes; 27 free treatment clinics established

Karachi: Vice President of the International Diabetes Federation, Erum Ghafoor has revealed that over 24,000 children and adolescents under the age of 25 in Pakistan are suffering from type 1 diabetes, and their lives are at risk without access to insulin. 

To support these children, 27 specialized clinics offering free treatment have been set up across the country.

Speaking to the media after a luncheon held in her honor at the Karachi Press Club, Irum Ghafoor said these clinics are part of the “Changing Diabetes in Children” program, which operates in 32 countries globally. In Pakistan, over 3,300 children have already been registered and are receiving free insulin, glucometers, pen devices, needles, and testing strips.

Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 14, Ghafoor shared that she turned her illness into strength. “I understand the pain of these children, which is why I’ve been entrusted with this project,” she said.

Originally planned through 2025, the initiative aimed to establish 40 clinics, of which 27 have been completed — 7 in Sindh and 9 in Punjab. The project timeline has now been extended to 2030 with a new target of reaching 6,000 children.

Irum Ghafoor advised parents to watch for symptoms such as frequent stomach pain, bedwetting, excessive thirst, vomiting, mouth odor, or unusual lethargy in children — all of which may indicate type 1 diabetes. 

She emphasized that it is an autoimmune disease and early medical attention is crucial.

Also present on the occasion were Karachi Press Club President Fazil Jamili, Joint Secretary Muhammad Munsif, Health Committee Secretary Hamid ur Rehman, and senior journalists. 

The club presented Ghafoor with a traditional Ajrak and a shield.

Erum Ghafoor is the first Pakistani and the first woman to be elected Vice President of the International Diabetes Federation, securing 112 votes from over 270 associations worldwide.