We are proud to share the successful conclusion of the Symposium on Diabetes in Ramadan, a historic and impactful event held in Faisalabad. This landmark gathering brought together distinguished healthcare leaders, clinicians, and academic experts with one shared mission: to improve diabetes care and ensure safe fasting practices during the holy month of Ramadan.
A Historic First for Pakistan
The symposium marked a groundbreaking achievement for the country — the official unveiling of the Instruction Manual for Diabetes in Ramadan. This comprehensive guide is a collaborative masterpiece developed by:
- LDF
- FMU
- WPG Scotmann Pharmaceuticals
This manual is designed to provide evidence-based, practical, and locally relevant guidance for healthcare providers and patients managing diabetes during Ramadan. It addresses risk stratification, medication adjustments, insulin management, dietary planning, and lifestyle modifications — all tailored to the unique fasting practices observed in Pakistan.
The launch of this manual represents a major step forward in structured diabetes education and reflects a strong commitment to patient safety and community health.
A Vision for the Future: 5-Year Strategic MOU
To ensure sustainable impact beyond a single event, a strategic five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between WPG, Scotmann, and LDF.
This long-term collaboration commits to:
- Continuous healthcare provider (HCP) training programs
- Patient education campaigns before Ramadan each year
- Community awareness seminars across Pakistan
- Research and data collection to improve diabetes care models
- Development of updated guidelines aligned with global standards
This half-decade partnership sets the foundation for transforming Ramadan-focused diabetes management into a structured national initiative.
Distinguished Leadership and Academic Excellence
The symposium was honoured by the presence of eminent academic and medical leaders whose guidance elevated the event to a truly national milestone.
- Chief Guest: Prof. Dr. Zafar Ali Choudhry (Vice Chancellor, FMU)
- Patron-in-Chief: Prof. Dr. Amir Shokat
- Guest of Honour: Prof. Dr. Zahid Yaseen Hashmi
- Chairman: Prof. Dr. Abdul Hafeez Choudhry
- Vice Chairman: Dr. Ahmad Shahzad (President LDF / PCDA Punjab)
Their presence reinforced the importance of institutional collaboration in addressing one of Pakistan’s most pressing public health challenges — diabetes management during fasting.
Scientific Excellence: Evidence-Based Discussions
The scientific sessions were the heart of the symposium, featuring in-depth, clinically relevant presentations delivered by leading experts in endocrinology and internal medicine.
1️⃣ Gestational Diabetes
Speaker: Dr. M. Irfan
The session highlighted the complexities of managing gestational diabetes during Ramadan and emphasized individualized risk assessment. Special attention was given to maternal and fetal safety, glucose monitoring, and when fasting should be discouraged.
2️⃣ Insulin Management During Ramadan
Speaker: Dr. Sohail Anjum
This session focused on insulin dose adjustments, timing modifications between Suhoor and Iftar, and preventing hypoglycaemia. Practical algorithms were discussed to help physicians optimize insulin regimens safely.
3️⃣ Lifestyle Modifications
Speaker: Dr. Usman Musharraf
Dietary planning, hydration strategies, physical activity recommendations, and sleep patterns were discussed as crucial components of safe fasting. The session emphasized patient education as the cornerstone of prevention.
4️⃣ Fasting with Diabetes: Risk Stratification
Speaker: Dr. Ahmad Shahzad
One of the most impactful sessions outlined clear categorization of patients into low-risk, moderate-risk, and high-risk groups, based on international diabetes guidelines.
- High-risk patients: Strongly advised not to fast due to severe hypoglycaemia risk, uncontrolled diabetes, advanced complications, or pregnancy with poor glycaemic control.
- Moderate-risk patients: May fast with strict medical supervision, medication adjustment, and regular glucose monitoring.
- Low-risk patients: Can fast safely with routine monitoring and pre-Ramadan medical consultation.
5️⃣ Oral Medication Adjustment
Speaker: Prof. Dr. Amir Shokat
This session detailed how to safely adjust oral hypoglycaemic agents, reduce hypoglycaemia risk, and ensure stable blood glucose levels during prolonged fasting hours.
A Collaborative Step Toward Safer Ramadan
Pakistan ranks among the countries with a high prevalence of diabetes, making structured Ramadan-focused education critically important. Many patients choose to fast despite medical advice, highlighting the urgent need for culturally sensitive and medically sound guidance.
This symposium addressed that need directly — bridging the gap between religious practice and clinical safety.
The event also fostered collaboration between academia, healthcare institutions, and the pharmaceutical sector, ensuring a multi-disciplinary approach to diabetes care.
Gratitude to Our Panel of Experts
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed panel of experts and speakers whose dedication, research, and experience contributed to the success of this historic initiative. Their invaluable insights will help make Ramadan safer for thousands of patients living with diabetes.
We also thank all healthcare professionals, attendees, organizers, and partners who made this event possible.
Moving Forward
The unveiling of the Instruction Manual is not the conclusion — it is the beginning of a national movement toward structured, evidence-based diabetes care during Ramadan.
With a strong five-year roadmap, institutional backing, and expert leadership, this initiative promises to:
- Reduce diabetes-related complications during Ramadan
- Empower healthcare providers with standardized protocols
- Educate patients about safe fasting practices
- Promote early medical consultation before Ramadan
Together, we are shaping a future where faith and health go hand in hand — ensuring that patients can observe Ramadan safely and responsibly.