Campaign offers free blood sugar tests, advice

A visitor undergoing diabetes screening. PICTURE: Joey Aguilar

By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter

Free diabetes screening at Katara – the Cultural Village has attracted hundreds of residents, including expatriate workers who had the chance to seek medical advice from experts.

One of the nurses supervising the screening told Gulf Times that many of the people she tested had normal blood sugar levels.

“I am not a diabetic but I think it is a good practice to always monitor our blood sugar,” said Doha resident Michael.

A number of people who came for the screening said they were diabetics and were taking medications.

The screening was part of a three-day programme organised by the Action on Diabetes (AoD) partners to create awareness about the causes, treatment and prevention of the disease. The campaign concludes today.

Medical experts provided advice on how to cope with diabetes. Visitors were given leaflets containing information about the disease. A booth was also set up to educate people about healthy cuisine.

A member of Qatar Fitness demonstrated simple exercises which can be done at home to shed weight. He stressed that weight loss cuts the risk of developing diabetes.

Games and activities were organised for children as part of the campaign.

AoD has also launched the Qatar National Diabetes Registry, a comprehensive online tool to gather data about all diabetes patients in the country.