DHF treats over 88,000 diabetes patients in 2025, expands outreach and screening

LAHORE: The Dilawar Hussain Foundation (DHF) provided healthcare services to more than 88,000 people living with diabetes during 2025, while expanding community screening, awareness and treatment programmes across Lahore and Kasur, according to its annual report.

The non-profit organisation said it treated more than 86,000 patients through its three diabetes management centres, with 95% receiving free or subsidised care. Pakistan continues to face a growing diabetes challenge, with around one in four adults estimated to be living with the condition.

DHF operates centres on Ferozepur Road and in Garhi Shahu, Lahore, as well as in Kasur. The facilities provide specialist consultations, laboratory diagnostics, nutrition counselling, foot care, ophthalmology screening and access to medicines. The foundation said its centres collectively handle more than 24,000 patient visits every month.

During 2025, the organisation conducted 9,006 diagnostic tests, delivered nutrition counselling to 23,835 patients and carried out 2,468 foot care assessments. It also reported treating 204 high-risk foot cases and providing 254 eye-care interventions aimed at preventing diabetes-related complications.

The foundation said medicines worth Rs37.9 million were dispensed during the year, while 85 awareness sessions reached approximately 9,300 individuals through education and prevention initiatives.

Community outreach remained a key focus, with free screening camps organised across Lahore and Kasur during Diabetes Awareness Month in November. More than 500 people were screened, while additional programmes targeted underserved communities and individuals with limited access to healthcare services.

The report also highlighted DHF’s admission as a full member of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) during 2025, a development the organisation said would support implementation of internationally recognised standards of diabetes care across its centres.

On the research side, the foundation published a study examining the impact of simplified combination therapy on blood sugar control and treatment adherence among people with Type 2 diabetes. It is also conducting research into how structured diabetes education affects long-term disease management outcomes.

Financially, DHF reported total inflows of Rs104.2 million and outflows of Rs106.1 million during the year. Project-related expenditure amounted to Rs91.3 million, accounting for 86% of overall spending, while administrative and general expenses stood at Rs14.8 million.

Looking ahead, the organisation plans to establish a dedicated diagnostic laboratory in 2026, expand multidisciplinary services and pursue new centres in South Punjab and Sindh as part of its long-term growth strategy.

The foundation said it has reached more than 1.5 million people since its establishment in 2011 and aims to further expand access to diabetes prevention, treatment and education services in the years ahead.