Sports fans from around the world have been screened for diabetes at the Action on Diabetes (AoD) screening bus, which is funded by Maersk Oil Qatar and stationed at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall during the 24th World Men’s Handball Championship in Qatar.
Lewis Affleck, managing director of Maersk Oil Qatar, said: “With operations in more than 130 countries, Maersk is proud to sponsor an important local event that will be seen globally. We are also pleased to use the event to spread local awareness about diabetes, which is one of Qatar’s greatest health challenges. Maersk Oil Qatar – one of five Maersk businesses in Qatar – supports Action on Diabetes through its local social investment programme.”
Maersk Oil, Maersk Line, Safmarine, Svitzer and Damco are all part of the Maersk Group with operations in Qatar, dating back 22 years when Maersk Oil first began operations in the country.
The bespoke AoD screening bus, is the only one of its kind in Qatar and is staffed by healthcare professionals from Hamad Medical Corporation and the Qatar Diabetes Association. The bus is fitted with a range of testing equipment to facilitate the analysis of random blood glucose, HBA1C, cholesterol, BMI, and blood pressure.
Herluf Nis Thomsen, senior project manager at AoD, said: “The World Men’s Handball Championship is an important milestone for Qatar and illustrates the power of physical exercise and sport in encouraging a healthy population. A healthy lifestyle is a key factor in avoiding diabetes and young people are encouraged by successful sports people.”
Diabetes is one of Qatar’s greatest health challenges. According to a recent Qatar STEPwise report, the proportion of people with diabetes in Qatar is among the highest in the world – 16.7% of Qataris have the condition.
A sports fan in the Action on Diabetes (AoD) screening bus.
