DAP
Pakistan is one of the 21 countries and territories in the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region and currently has the highest prevalence of diabetes among adults aged 20–79 years worldwide. It also ranks fourth globally in the total number of adults living with diabetes.
Globally, an estimated 589 million people are living with diabetes, including 85 million in the MENA Region alone. By 2050, the number of people with diabetes in the MENA Region is projected to rise dramatically to 163 million, highlighting an urgent and growing public health challenge.
In Pakistan, factors such as limited access to healthcare services, socioeconomic disparities, urban–rural divides, lack of health education, food insecurity, and delayed diagnosis place millions at higher risk of diabetes and its serious complications, including heart disease, stroke, and other life-threatening conditions.
These realities underscore the critical need for collaborative partnerships. By working together with healthcare institutions, community organizations, policymakers, and local stakeholders, we can reduce health inequities, improve access to diabetes care, and move toward health equity for all communities in Pakistan.
Where DAP Is Working
The Diabetic Association of Pakistan (DAP) is committed to addressing the root causes of diabetes-related health disparities by focusing on high-burden and underserved areas across Pakistan. Using community-level insights, healthcare data, and on-ground experience, DAP adopts a place-based, community-centered approach to reach populations with limited access to diabetes care, education, and early diagnosis.
What DAP Is Doing
Through strategic collaborations and nationwide programs, DAP aims to:
- Engage and empower communities through diabetes awareness, prevention, and education initiatives for children, youth, and adults, promoting healthier lifestyles and early detection.
- Improve access to diabetes care by partnering with hospitals, clinics, schools, and community organizations to provide insulin, diagnostics, essential medicines, and self-management education—especially for vulnerable populations.
- Advocate for sustainable change by working with policymakers, healthcare leaders, and community stakeholders to strengthen diabetes care systems, expand services, and build local capacity for long-term impact.
