Govt plans around Rs7bn project to screen population for diabetes

MG News September 08, 2026 (MLN): The government has planned a Rs6.8 billion project to screen citizens for diabetes across the country, with prevention and public awareness on the disease identified as key priorities amid its rising prevalence. Minister for National Health Services Mustafa Kamal stated this while addressing an event in Islamabad on Tuesday, adding that the project would be launched from the federal capital before being extended to the provinces, according to a press release issued. The minister voiced concern over the high incidence of diabetes in Pakistan, calling for a coordinated push on prevention measures and stronger public awareness campaigns to curb the disease's spread. The development comes as the government has recently stepped up efforts in the health sector, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directing that the first phase of the Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre be completed by March next year, reaffirming that quality healthcare for citizens remains among the government's top priorities. He had also called for accelerating the pace of health sector reforms while chairing a review meeting on the Jinnah Medical Complex and the Phase-II extension of the Federal Government Polyclinic. Copyright Mettis Link News