New online forum lends a hand to diabetics

Dr Abdulla al-Hamaq pictured with regional heads of other diabetes associations and patient ambassadors at the launch event.

Doha

To mark World Diabetes Day 2014, Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) has joined hands with diabetes associations and patients from across the Middle East.

It will discuss the need for social support and patient-to-patient communication with a group of My Diabetes Story patient ambassadors from Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq and Pakistan.

The launch of My Diabetes Story - an online patient community endorsed by leading diabetes associations and Sanofi - was announced during an event in Dubai.

Led by diabetics, the community offers a platform to patients who will be able to discuss the issues that matter to them and share tips and recommendations on how to manage their condition.

Patient ambassadors and associations highlighted the need for such platforms to provide better diabetes life management, catering to 22.9% of the population in Qatar with diabetes.

Recent figures from the International Diabetes Federation estimate that the incidence of diabetes is expected to rise from 34.6mn in 2013 to 67.9mn by 2035 in the Middle East, which equates to a 96% increase in the Mena region.

QDA is a member of Qatar Foundation, while Sanofi is a global healthcare leader.

Dr Abdulla al-Hamaq, executive director of QDA, said: “We are pleased to meet the diabetes ambassadors and heads of diabetes associations to share our experiences and ideas and discuss ways that we can use to support diabetics in the Middle East. We have realised the importance of patient-to-patient communication and social support for people with diabetes. We aim to provide them with comprehensive solutions for their daily struggle with diabetes.”

Mohamed al-Saadi, a diabetes patient ambassador in Qatar, said: “With the My Diabetes Story online platform, diabetics finally get the chance to address many of the questions they have to with other patients in an environment conducive to support and community-building.”

Dr Pius Hornstein, Sanofi vice-president, Turkey & Middle East, said: “The increasing numbers of diabetics in the region unfortunately echo the global trend of the disease, with the prevalence of diabetes in the adult Mena population at approximately 11% and 14.9% in Turkey. By launching the My Diabetes Story online community, we are facilitating for patients to share their experiences, stories and concerns in a like-minded community so that they feel part of a bigger, supportive and secure environment.”

Diabetics and their families and friends can register online on www.mydiabetestory.com Once members join, they can participate in conversations related to diabetes, post questions, news articles, images or videos and even create discussion groups about daily practices related to diabetes.