Novo Nordisk, the Danish leading global healthcare company, marked an important milestone in Pakistan by launching its Live Lighter initiative for people living with obesity at a grand event held at the Mohatta Palace, in Karachi. The event brought together healthcare leaders, policymakers, media, and influencers to address one of the country’s most pressing yet misunderstood health challenges, obesity.
Despite its growing prevalence both globally and in Pakistan, obesity continues to be viewed through a lens of personal responsibility, often delaying timely and appropriate care. It is closely linked to more than 200 medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney and liver disorders and some types of cancers that significantly affect long-term health and quality of life and putting increasing pressure on healthcare systems.
Addressing the audience, H.E Maja Mortensen, Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, emphasized the importance of partnerships in advancing healthcare outcomes. She said, Tackling complex health challenges like obesity requires collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to improving lives. Denmark has a strong legacy in healthcare innovation, and it is encouraging to see this expertise contributing to meaningful progress in Pakistan’s healthcare landscape.
Prof. Emerita Tasnim Ahsan, Dean Medicell Institute of Diabetes Endocrinology & Metabolism, and Director at OMI hospital, said, Every patient’s journey is unique, and weight management remains challenging for many people because of their biology and for some, that biology means lifestyle changes alone may not be enough. Just as we would not ask a patient with diabetes or hypertension to manage their condition through willpower alone, there are patients living with obesity for whom medical intervention, guided by a physician, becomes not just appropriate but necessary. I encourage people living with obesity to speak openly with their doctors about all the options available to them.
Obesity can no longer remain on the sidelines of healthcare discussions, said Rashed Rafique Butt, Representative Novo Nordisk Pakistan. For too long, obesity has been reduced to a question of willpower alone. Science tells us otherwise. Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare leader with more than 100 years of experience in diabetes care and the treatment of serious chronic diseases, alongside over three decades of dedicated research in obesity. For us, this is not a new focus. It is a long-term commitment grounded in science, responsibility and patient safety.
As part of its global commitment to advancing obesity care, Novo Nordisk continues to work toward expanding access to its innovative treatment solutions across markets worldwide, including Pakistan, in alignment with local regulatory frameworks and requirements.
Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4mg), a once-weekly therapy for people living with obesity, has received approvals from leading global regulatory authorities, including U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).