Mass-screening drive for diabetes begins

A  public screening campaign has been launched in Qatar as part of the Action on Diabetes initiative.

During the campaign  this month, booths  in  various shopping malls will provide free diabetes testing. Dieticians from the Qatar Diabetes Association and Hamad Medical Corporation will also give tips to visitors.

Launched in 2011, Action on Diabetes is a partnership between the Supreme Council of Health, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar Diabetes Association, Maersk Oil and Novo Nordisk.

With diabetes becoming an increasingly common disease that begins with few symptoms, Action on Diabetes representatives urge people to take the opportunity and visit their specialist screening booths to get tested.

Already launched during the weekend in Landmark mall, the screening booth there was visited by a large number of people.

Other booths will be in City Center on June 13-14; at Villaggio on June 20-21 and in Hyatt Plaza on June 27-28.

The booth is open from 4pm-9pm on both days.

Maersk Oil Qatar deputy managing director Sheikh Faisal bin Fahad al-Thani said  the number of people suffering with diabetes was increasing at an alarming rate in Qatar and the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.

“It is crucial to catch diabetes in its earliest stages and that’s where screening comes in,” Sheikh Faisal said.

He said  it was very common for  people to have no physical complaints and, once screened, were revealed to be either pre-diabetic or even diabetic. “That’s why it’s so important to screen yourself and your family for rising blood sugars on a regular basis - even if you eat healthy and exercise regularly.”

SCH Public Health Department director Dr Mohamed al-Thani said that an “overwhelming” number of diabetes cases could be prevented or delayed by lifestyle or medical intervention in people detected with pre-diabetes.

Health care professionals at the booths will  provide exercise and diet advice as well as  tips on how those with diabetes could prepare for Ramadan.

QDA executive director Dr Abdulla al-Hamaq said: “Since Ramadan is a month away, visiting the booth will allow one-on-one consultation for patients who are planning to fast during the holy month. Testing blood sugar is not just important for early diagnoses of pre-diabetes but also for those who have diabetes, and no more so than during Ramadan.

“If a diabetic is fasting during Ramadan it is very important that they are even more diligent about monitoring their blood sugar in order to ensure that it doesn’t drop too low or rise too high once they break their fast.”