DOHA: Qatar has shown interest in becoming the first in the Gulf region to join the DAWN (Diabetes Attitudes Wishes and Needs) initiative to find the challenges faced by people living with diabetes in the country.
A delegation from Action on Diabetes with the support of Maersk Oil participated in the fifth international DAWN summit in Holland
The DAWN study, a global Novo Nordisk initiative is a long-term commitment with the aim of inspiring new, sustainable ways to enable the millions of people with diabetes around the world to live full, healthy lives and be actively involved in managing their own health and quality of life. It is the largest ever global study to explore the unmet needs of people with diabetes.
Dr Abdullah Al Hamaq, Director of Qatar Diabetes Association, said, “Even though the pace of growth and change in Qatar is so dramatic, unfortunately the awareness about diabetes amongst Qataris and expatriates remains low. Specific research on diabetes in Qatar is needed to understand how we can improve our efforts, and establish better comprehensive education programmes for healthcare professionals and patients.
“It is vital that we introduce the DAWN study to Qatar. By participating in the DAWN study, we will get greater insight into the challenges faced by people living with diabetes in Qatar and the people helping them, and explore new avenues for improving care.”
Diabetes remains one of Qatar’s largest health issues, with over 16.7 percent of adult Qataris being diagnosed already. Six percent of Qataris have abnormally high sugar levels and are likely to develop diabetes, unless lifestyle modifications are made.
If the diabetes challenge is not addressed and lifestyles not modified, as many as a quarter of all Qataris may have diabetes by 2030 according to the International Diabetes Federation. With the proportion of people with diabetes in Qatar is amongst the highest in the world, helping to prevent, detect and manage diabetes has become a National priority.
Dr Badria Ali Al Malki, Pubic Health Specialist, at the Supreme Council of Health said: “Psychosocial issues often go ignored in helping to treat diabetes patients, so participating in this study will provide us with the knowledge to create appropriate support networks for those who suffer, often in silence, from diabetes.
“We need to bring together a range of stakeholders in the diabetes debate to ensure that we strengthen the voice of people with diabetes and their families locally and globally and improve treatment pathways. We will only achieve this by working with organisations such as Action on Diabetes and DAWN.”
The Peninsula
