By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: Medical experts have warned that vitamin D deficiency remains widespread in Pakistan despite abundant sunshine, calling for greater public awareness, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment to address the growing health concern.
The warning came at the D Connect Summit 2026, organised by Scotmann Pharmaceuticals at Avari Hotel, Lahore, in connection with World Vitamin D Day. The summit brought together medical professionals to discuss the effects of vitamin D deficiency on bone health, women’s health and overall well-being.
Prof. Dr Faisal Masood, professor and head of the Department of Orthopaedics at Mayo Hospital, Lahore, spoke on “From Childhood to Aging: Vitamin D – A Lifetime Partner in Bone Health.”
He explained that bones support movement, protect vital organs and help maintain calcium balance, which is essential for the proper functioning of the heart, muscles and nerves. Vitamin D enables the body to absorb and utilise calcium effectively.
Referring to estimates, Dr Faisal said approximately 73 per cent of Pakistan’s population was either deficient in vitamin D or had inadequate levels.
He attributed the problem to limited sunlight exposure, indoor lifestyles, clothing practices, social customs, air pollution and changing dietary habits. He said many people avoided direct sunlight because of concerns about skin tanning and extreme weather conditions, while nutritional value was often overlooked in food choices.
Warning about the consequences for bone health, particularly among older people, he said osteoporosis frequently remained undiagnosed until a fracture occurred, sometimes following a minor fall.
Dr Faisal stressed that bone health required attention from childhood, noting that nearly 90 per cent of peak bone mass was achieved during younger years. He encouraged parents to promote outdoor activities and nutritious diets to support healthy bone development.
He added that vitamin D also played important roles beyond bone health, including immunity, brain development and calcium regulation. Parents, he said, should pay particular attention to children’s nutrition and physical activity to reduce the risk of bone-related problems later in life.
Prof. Dr Asma Kazi, professor and head of Medicine at Rashid Latif Medical College, Lahore, discussed Pakistan’s vitamin D deficiency burden and its management under the PSIM guidelines.
Speaking on “Mapping the Burden, Mastering the Management: Pakistan’s Vitamin D Crisis and PSIM Guidelines,” she described the deficiency as a major public health concern but cautioned against excessive supplementation without proper medical advice.
Dr Asma said doctors needed to assess three key considerations before recommending vitamin D supplements: who required testing, who needed supplementation and what dosage was appropriate.
Citing various studies, she highlighted the scale of the problem, referring to reported deficiency rates of 84.3 per cent in one study and 61.1 per cent in a retrospective laboratory-based assessment.
She also cited research indicating that 79.7 per cent of women of reproductive age had vitamin D deficiency, including 54 per cent with moderate deficiency and 25.7 per cent with severe deficiency. Studies conducted in different Pakistani cities had reported prevalence rates ranging from 74 to 95.1 per cent, she added.
According to Dr Asma, limited sunlight exposure, air pollution, clothing practices, skin pigmentation and inadequate dietary sources were among the factors contributing to the problem.
She identified children, adolescents, pregnant and breastfeeding women, older people and individuals with obesity, kidney or liver disorders and conditions affecting nutrient absorption as groups requiring particular attention.
Emphasising responsible treatment, she said supplementation should be tailored to a person’s age, medical history, health condition and individual requirements. Doctors should assess risk factors and conduct relevant tests before prescribing high doses.
She cautioned that excessive vitamin D intake could have harmful effects, adding that routine high-dose supplementation was not suitable for everyone. Treatment, she stressed, should follow established medical guidelines.
The summit also featured Dr Andleeb Arshad, assistant professor at Lahore General Hospital, who spoke about women’s health and the importance of vitamin D.
