ISLAMABAD: In order to provide specialised care to over 2 million diabetes patients, a sepecial centre has been established in Phulgaran. This centre offers free of cost complete diagnosis, treatment and medicines to people. It is South Asia’s first centre that provides international standards of quality care. At present, the site clinic provides medical services where 60 per cent diabetic patients are being cured free of cost. The diabetic centre organised a fundraising event in Islamabad on Monday to share the progress of the center and raise awareness among its stakeholders and to generate funds for smooth operations and to complete construction of building. Islamabad Mayor Shaikh Ansar Aziz was the chief guest on the occasion. Diabetic Centre chairman Dr Asjad Hameed, staff members, officials of public and private sector organisations, philanthropists participated in the event. Since its launch in February 2014, the centre, with its five specialised doctors, operational laboratory and specialised units has treated over 44,788 patients out of which 69.4 patients were treated free of cost. Shaikh Ansar Aziz praised the centre management and its supporters for raising awareness among this chronic disease. He assured his support for the initiative and said that such initiatives would alleviate poverty and improve the living standard of poor people. Dr Asjad Hameed said that with recognition and continuous support of like-minded people, 70 per cent of the construction work had been completed. He said that 1 in every 10 Pakistanis was diabetic and over 2 million Pakistanis suffered from the disease. “For this purpose, the Diabetic Centre is frequently organising diabetes awareness and screening camps in all metropolis and rural areas for timely detection of diabetes,” he said. Umer Kamal, the Resource Mobilisation director, and Shaiq Tanveer, the advisory board member, also briefed the audience about the working of the centre.