The Pakistan National Heart Association organised its annual health awareness walk in Murree to spotlight the growing crisis of NCDs Pakistan. Health experts, civil society representatives, journalists, teachers, women and youth joined the march led by Maj. Gen. (R) Masood-ur-Rehman Kiani and hosted by Sana Ullah Ghumman, with prominent participation from Dr. Qayyum Awan and Dr. Shahnaz.
Maj. Gen. (R) Masood-ur-Rehman Kiani warned that unhealthy dietary habits and the rising consumption of ultra-processed foods are accelerating heart disease and diabetes across the country. He urged citizens to adopt healthier eating habits, engage in regular physical activity and incorporate daily walks to lower the risk of non-communicable diseases. More than 41 percent of Pakistani adults are now overweight or obese, while over 33 million people are living with diabetes, underscoring the urgency of addressing NCDs Pakistan.
Dr. Shahnaz emphasised that protecting public health must remain a national priority and praised PANAH’s outreach and advocacy work. She called on parents and schools to work closely to instil healthy eating habits among children and adolescents, noting that early intervention is crucial to prevent NCDs Pakistan from becoming entrenched in younger generations.
Dr. Qayyum Awan said access to nutritious food is a fundamental right for every child and warned that poor dietary patterns in childhood raise the lifetime risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. He called on families to prioritise wholesome meals and regular physical activity for the healthy development of children.
Sana Ullah Ghumman highlighted PANAH’s four decades of work to protect Pakistanis from heart disease and other non-communicable illnesses through research, public awareness and policy engagement. He stressed the need to reduce sugary drinks and ultra-processed products while promoting active lifestyles to safeguard future generations and urged policymakers, media, educators, civil society and parents to act together to confront NCDs Pakistan.
Participants at the walk reaffirmed their commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and expanding awareness about prevention, calling for collective measures at community and policy levels to curb the rising toll of NCDs Pakistan.
