Experts stressed on the need to spread awareness in public regarding the symptoms, causes and effects of diabetes during a seminar organised to observe World Diabetes Day. During a seminar organised by the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) on Monday, prominent physicians and specialists pointed out that the number of diabetic patients in Pakistan was rapidly increasing. The speakers said that till previous year there were 39 million (m) patients suffering from diabetes. They said that the number of people suffering from this chronic condition may touch over 80 m mark in the next two decades and termed the rapid increase in the number of diabetic patients ‘alarming’. The theme of this year’s seminar was ‘Family and Diabetes’. Quoting the global figures, the speakers pointed out that number of patients at the end of previous year was over 400 m. During a question answer session, SIUT team of physicians headed by Dr Fatema Jawad, exchanged information with visitors. She said risk of diseases like kidney failure, stroke, heart ailments, vascular malfunctioning, gangrene and fatty liver were few of the ailments caused by diabetes. She said that adopting a healthy lifestyle, being aware of the disease and its implications and regularly monitoring helped in preventing and countering diabetes. A large number of people visited SIUT where elaborate arrangements were made to provide them information and education about the disease. On the spot pathological laboratory tests and screening were carried out for free. Published in Daily Times, November 20th 2018.