Doha: Following the celebration of World Diabetes Day, Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco) Q.S.C. recently welcomed a diabetes team from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) to its plant in Mesaieed to raise awareness about the disease and conduct blood glucose screening for its employees.
The campaign was part of HMC’s annual World Diabetes Day events and supported its year-long awareness campaign to increase public understanding of diabetes and empower residents to take control over their health.
Diabetes has reached epidemic proportion in Qatar with about 17 percent of the adult population thought to have it.
About 11 percent of the population is estimated to be pre-diabetic and it is anticipated that as many as one-third of the diabetics are not aware of their disease.
Qapco takes diabetes prevention very seriously as it believes in encouraging its employees to adopt healthy lifestyles and make healthy living choices to prevent and fight conditions such as obesity, heart diseases and diabetes.
Manal Musallam, Senior Patient Educator/Adult Diabetes, HMC, led the session where over 200 Qapco staff were provided with education materials on diabetes management, risk assessment and the importance of making good dietary choices.
Dr Mohammed Youssef Al Mulla, Vice-Chairman and CEO, Qapco, said: “At Qapco, as a responsible corporate citizen, and in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030, we believe in raising awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyles and fitness among our employees and community.”
Musallam said: “The event is part of HMC’s ongoing commitment to community-based diabetes awareness, screening and education. We cannot stress enough the importance of early detection of diabetes and screening. Healthy lifestyle practices, including a healthy diet and regular physical activity, are an important part of reducing the incidence of type 2 diabetes in Qatar.”The Peninsula
