The Ministry of National Guard – Health Affairs in Eastern Region represented by the King Abdulaziz Hospital – AL Ahsa and Imam Abdulrahman Al Faisal Hospital - Dammam launched the World Diabetes Day activities. Dr. Ahmad Al Arfaj, the Regional Executive Director of the Ministry of National Guard -Health Affairs in the Eastern Region stated that " this celebration aims to raise the awareness levels of the patients, visitors and staff members in regards to diabetes impact, prevention, treatment and how to protect the next generation, as the international studies show that diabetes is the future threat to the world."
He also added that" the aim of holding such events is to spread health awareness on diabetes, noting that awareness days should not be tied to a specific date each year, as health awareness must continue throughout the year”, adding "the activities included an exhibition about diabetics care, and the latest diabetes treatment updates and methods of prevention".
Moreover, the Campaign Head in King Abdulaziz Hospital, Dr. Mohammad Htahet said that the exhibition attracted a large number of participants of all ages, which included several corners: screening the blood pressure. Blood sugar, and weight, through which we have discovered a number of people with diabetes in its early stages, and we directed them to the appropriate follow-up sections, which is our main objective as well as to spread diabetes awareness before it gets worse ".
In addition, Dr. Mohammad Htahet clarified that” after the participants pass the examination corner, the role of health education comes next, in which it provides them with accurate medical information about the proper life style, which protects against diabetes, then the participants move to the feet examination corner allocated for people with diabetes, where we give the patient the necessary instructions on a very important point which is the diabetic foot ".
The exhibition also included a corner covering the nutrients that should be consumed by diabetics and types of healthy diets that help people to get rid of obesity as well as the necessary healthy foods for everyone and for diabetics in particular. The delivery section also presented a detailed explanation of gestational diabetes and how to get rid of it and adapt with it.
Also, diabetes section gave a detailed explanation about diabetes, its history, medications, follow-up and measurement procedures as well as the common mistakes occurring when measuring and taking diabetes medications. In this regards, Dr. Hatahet answered the participants’ questions and gave them valuable medical consultations.
The events that took place in Imam Abdulrahman Al Faisal Hospital were under the theme of "Let's Work Together to Reduce the Risk of This Disease by Educating Our Society Toward a Better Life". The exhibition included several awareness programs on all the terms of diabetes and its types, the participants also underwent blood sugar and body mass screening, in addition to presenting the latest diabetes treatments and devices.
Also, the Physiotherapy Department launched walking program under the theme of " Let’s Walk Together to Reduce the Diabetes", and was attended by more than a hundred students, along with members of the National Guard. It also included an awareness lecture on the importance of sport, and ways to organize a daily exercise program for diabetics.
The reason behind holding such events is due to the frightening increase of diabetics numbers compared with statistics and studies done 80 years ago, where the percentage was not more than 5%, however, now , it has reached more than 24% among the adults.
Last but not least, recent medical studies confirm that at the age of forty, one out of two will be at risk of Type II diabetes, and there are many reasons behind that such as obesity, lack of movement and unhealthy eating habits. It is worth to mention that there is a scary and noticeable global increase of diabetics numbers, and the Middle East, especially the Gulf region are the most affected. The International Diabetes Federation studies say that it is expected that the percentage will double over the next 20 years, if proper precautions were not taken.