DOHA: At least half of visitors to ‘Kulluna for a Healthy Heart’ campaign booths at City Center Doha and The Mall have been identified as being overweight.
The booths received 13,500 people between 16 and 70 years, who underwent free checks for several risk factors which could lead to heart illnesses.
Introduced in April 2013 by Hamad Medical Corporation’s Hamad International Training Center (HITC), and supported by its founding sponsor ConocoPhillips Qatar, the campaign aims to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases, their prevention, available treatments and lifestyle changes that promote heart health among residents.
At the booths, visitors are invited to complete a free check that includes tests for blood cholesterol, blood sugar, height, weight, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI).
Staff at the booths also discuss risk factors for developing coronary artery diseases and offer medical consultations once test results are evaluated.
Dr Khalid Abdulnoor Saifeldeen, Director, HITC, and Chairman, Kulluna, said, “We have received tremendous support this year for our healthy heart campaign.
“We are receiving visitors between 16 and 70 years and it’s very pleasing to see people being so active and concerned about their health.
“Statistics collected so far show that out of the 13,500 visitors, 25 percent have high blood pressure, 30 percent high cholesterol, 15 percent high blood sugar and at least 50 percent had a BMI indicative of being overweight.
“Our staff at the booths have shown exemplary commitment and motivation during the campaign and this is a testament to team work and the quality of the initiative by Kulluna and ConocoPhillips.
“We are anticipating more visitors by the end of Ramadan and look forward to providing this service to the people of Qatar,” he added
Visitors are also given booklets on how to have a healthy heart and healthy fasting. The healthy heart booklet provides information on maintaining a healthy heart and highlights the role of individuals in reducing their risks for developing heart diseases.
The booklets, available at mosques, Landmark Mall, City Center Doha and The Mall provide tips on healthy fasting, its benefits and side effects of overeating.
Kulluna has distributed over 16,000 healthy heart booklets and 19,000 healthy fasting booklets.
The Peninsula
