Islamabad
\nA two-day regional seminar on \u201cPlant Materials and their Clinical Validation in the Management of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders: Challenges and Scope\u201d commenced on Tuesday at the Secretariat of the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH).
\nThe event is jointly organised with the Asian Network of Research on Antidiabetic Plants (ANRAP) and brings together senior experts from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Australia, the United Kingdom, Egypt and several OIC member states. More than 150 participants joined the inaugural session in person and online.
\nWhile speaking in inaugural ceremony, Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal, the chief guest, described diabetes as \u201cone of Pakistan\u2019s most serious health and development challenges,\u201d noting that one in four adults in the country is living with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
\nHe said the country\u2019s healthcare system is under immense pressure, adding that \u201cno matter how many hospitals we build, it is impossible to treat every patient unless we prioritise prevention.\u201d
\nThe Minister said environmental and lifestyle factors were contributing heavily to rising disease burdens. He emphasised the need to integrate traditional and plant-based medicine into modern systems, stating that the subject was \u201cclose to his heart.\u201d
\nHe announced that the government intends to establish medical desks for traditional and plant-based medicine in every major government hospital.
\nHe reaffirmed the government\u2019s support for COMSTECH, ANRAP and national research institutions working on affordable, safe and evidence-based therapeutic options.
\nAddressing the seminar online Ambassador Aftab Ahmad Khokhar, Assistant Secretary General (S&T), said the event aligns with the OIC Science, Technology and Innovation Agenda 2026. He praised COMSTECH for its leadership in strengthening scientific cooperation, capacity building and South\u2013South collaboration.
\nHe underscored the need for harmonised regulatory frameworks and better quality control systems for herbal and plant-based therapeutics.
\nIn his remarks, Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General OIC- COMSTECH, said the world is facing an enduring burden of diseases linked with weak healthcare systems, climate impacts and demographic pressures. He noted that developing countries face a \u201cmajor scientific gap\u201d in understanding diseases at the molecular and genetic levels.
\nHe said most human diseases, including diabetes, dementia and cardiovascular disorders, are being \u201cmanaged rather than cured,\u201d emphasising the need for prevention-focused health policies.
\nHe added that future healthcare must centre on epidemiological research, clean water, sanitation, healthy diet, safe environments and meaningful social support systems.
\nProf. Choudhary said OIC-COMSTECH has launched major health initiatives, including the Africa health programme, capacity-building workshops, biomedical training, virology fellowships and humanitarian medical outreach.
\nHe added that a return to nature \u2014 through lifestyle changes and validated medicinal plants \u2014 can play an important role in preventing and managing diabetes.
\nProf. Dr. Begum Rokeya, Network Leader and Secretary General of ANRAP, outlined the objectives of the seminar and highlighted the importance of scientifically validating traditional medicinal plants widely used across Asia and OIC member countries. She stressed the value of collaborative research, shared laboratory resources and systematic clinical evaluation.
\nThe inaugural session also featured remarks by H.E. Iqbal Hussain Khan, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan, who said relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh have strengthened since 2024, with increased high-level exchanges. He noted that direct flights between the two countries are being restored, facilitating cooperation in health, education, tourism, trade and scientific research.
\nHe appreciated the competence of Pakistani medical professionals and said enhanced cooperation in science and technology would benefit both countries and the wider Muslim world.
\nThe seminar will continue on Wednesday with technical sessions on medicinal plant research, metabolic disorders, clinical validation, product development and regulatory challenges, featuring experts from Asia, the Middle East and Africa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad A two-day regional seminar on \u201cPlant Materials and their Clinical Validation in the Management of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders: Challenges and Scope\u201d commenced on Tuesday at the Secretariat of the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH). The event is jointly organised with the Asian Network of Research on Antidiabetic Plants (ANRAP) […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":515233,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-515333","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n