HERAT CITY - Health officials launched a walk campaign in Takht-i-Safar area of the provincial capital of western Herat province on Monday to mark World Diabetes Day.
The officials warned that diabetes disease was increasing among people in the country and the disease could be fought only by physical activities particularly walking and diet.
Dr. Ahmad Zia Mohtasibzada, diabetes control in charge of Herat Health Department, told the ceremony said more than 17,000 diabetics were registered with the department.
He said physical activities, particularly walk and diet, were the only ways to deal with the disease.
He asked people, especially those affected by the disease, to walk at least for 30 minutes a day to prevent the problem.
“The figures we have show more than 17,000 of people in the province are diagnosed with diabetes, the aim of this program is to mark this day and fighting diabetes,” he said.
Dr. Shamsulhaq Salim, head of Afghanistan Medical Association of Doctors in the western zone, said less physical activities of people was main reason behind the rise in diabetes.
“Diabetes disease increased when modern technology came into use and people limited their physical activities,” he added.
A number of people suffering from the disease say that walking is the only way to deal with diabetes.
Firoz Latifi, one of the persons suffering from diabetes in Heart, said, “I contracted this disease a year ago, but I started doing exercise every morning since that and my illness has gone, thanks God” he said.
Herat health officials say currently more than 425 million people around the world are suffering from diabetes and the number would double until 2035, according to statistics. (Pajhwok)