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A patient having his blood sugar checked during the World Diabetes Day campaign at Al Ahli Hospital.
(Kammutty VP)
DOHA: Al Ahli Hospital observed World Diabetes Day on Wednesday stressing the significance of educating the public to fight the increasing prevalence of diabetes around the world and in the region.
Dr Abdel Azim Hussein, Medical Director and Chief Surgeon at the hospital, underscored the vital role the hospital plays in spreading awareness and education to fight diabetes, which witnessed high prevalence in recent years, especially among women and children.
The hospital conducted a number of activities during the day including free blood sugar and blood pressure check-ups and a symposium. The free check-ups benefited hospital guests and employees alike while the symposium was catered to medical professionals and the public.
“Education is very important as prevention is better than treatment. The mass media should address the importance of healthy food and exercise especially to young children,” said Dr Maher Irshaid, Consultant Endocrinologist.
He said diabetic patients should also be educated to facilitate effective treatment.
“We have to explain to them why we are treating diabetes, not merely concentrate on figures but that we are treating them to prevent complications.”
Among the many complications of diabetes when people fail to control their blood sugar are loss of sight, renal failure, stroke and amputation, he said.
Dr Irshaid delivered a presentation on “Diabetes the New Epidemic of the 21st Century” at the symposium.
“Type 2 diabetes is the epidemic of the 21st century. It is becoming so frequent all over the world mainly in our region in the Gulf area and Arab countries,” he said.
Change in lifestyle resulting from a combination of eating unhealthy food and lack of exercise is the main reason why diabetes is prevalent in the region. Type 2 diabetes is now prevalent even in young children unlike before when it used to be a disease of people above 30 years old, he explained.
He said parents should not follow children’s whims such as giving them gadgets which cause them to just sit and play while eating junk food, giving a big possibility for them to have diabetes in the future.
The symposium was hosted by the Endocrine and Diabetes Clinic and targeted medical professionals and the general public.
Other topics discussed at the symposium were “Treatment of Diabetes” which was presented by Dr Nabeel Isseh, Consultant Internal Medicine and Diabetes and “Nutrition and Diabetes” by Vedaiyan Jayanthi, Dietitian.
The Peninsula
