DOHA: Over 8,000 people were hospitalised with health problems such as overeating and indigestion during Ramadan last year, according to a senior official.
In Ramadan, people tend to eat a lot of rich food, which leads to discomfort and indigestion, says Director of Hamad International Training Centre and Chairman of Kulluna campaign, Dr Khalid Abdulnoor Saifeldeen. As an effort to help raise awareness and combat overeating in Ramadan, Kulluna has launched a booklet which gives tips on healthy fasting, its benefits and side effects of overeating. It will be distributed to people visiting shopping malls and hospitals.
With temperatures rising up to 45 degrees Celsius and the duration of fast stretching to 15 hours, the booklet is an initiative to help people understand the importance of eating healthy and balanced meals during the holy month.
“In 2012, over 8,000 people were hospitalised with health problems such as overeating and indigestion. If healthy and balanced meals are taken, then fasting can be very beneficial,” said Dr Saifeldeen.
“We at Kulluna are committed to helping people fast healthy during Ramadan and the booklet is an initiative to raise awareness about the positive impacts of fasting. We want to make sure that a large number of people are able to access this information and benefit from it, and so the booklet will be available free at several locations such as Carrefour in Villaggio, Landmark and City Centre mall as well as all Hamad Medical Corporation hospitals,” he said.
ConocoPhillips Qatar President and main sponsor of the campaign, Gary Sykes, said: “Kulluna for a Healthy Ramadan is a good guide to help fasting people find the necessary balance in the holy month. The initiative is a great opportunity to raise awareness about keeping healthy during Ramadan, and draws on tips received from Hamad Medical Corporation’s top doctors and specialists.”
The Peninsula
