'National Action Plan to deal with non-communicable diseases almost ready'.

KARACHI -- Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Faisal Sultan on Monday disclosed that a national action plan was almost ready to deal with the epidemic of non-communicable diseases.

Speaking at a national dialogue on epidemic of diabetes programme here at a local hotel, he was in agreement with health experts and medical scientists that the burden of such ailments was growing in the country due to 'lack of focus' in the past.

He also vowed to play his role and take up crucial matters with the federal cabinet such as increased taxes on carbonated drinks calling it crucial as a very large number of people were suffering from lifestyle disease mainly diabetes and if the poor eating habits continued with the same pace the number could multiply manifold in the next five to 10 years.

'There is a not doubt that we are facing an epidemic of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases in Pakistan,' he said at the programme organised by the Pakistan Society for Awareness and Community Empowerment (PACE) in collaboration with Discovering Diabetes project.

Dr Faisal Sultan advocates need to increase taxes on carbonated drinks, tobacco

'There is an urgency required to deal with it along with other non-communicable diseases so a national action plan will set a direction to deal with four major areas including diabetes and endocrine diseases, mental health, trauma and cancer. This document would help our followers to deal with these diseases in the years to come,' he said.

He said his ministry was in talks with the federal education ministry to include some clear, basic and non-controversial health messages in the single national curriculum (SNC).

'The SNC can be an effective tool to convey the health messages to our children and they can be sensitised regarding dental care to importance of physical activity, healthy diet, hazards of tobacco, smoking and drug...