Action on Diabetes (AoD), initiated and funded by Maersk Oil Qatar to tackle diabetes in Qatar, highlighted its role as one of the leading programmes on tackling the condition by bringing GCC Health Week to a close with a second successful screening event.
Organised at Katara Cultural Village, the event saw more than 200 members of the local community screened by nurses at a mobile clinic on May 6.
Healthcare educators also provided recommendations at the clinic on how to reduce the risk of developing diabetes in the future and distributed brochures and educational information on the importance of early detection and tips on living a healthy lifestyle.
To date, more than 35,000 people have been screened for diabetes through AoD’s programmes with more than 1,000 new cases identified.
GCC Health Week is a made up of a week-long series of activities by the Ministry of Public Health, Hamad Medical Corporation, Primary Healthcare Corporation , Qatar Diabetes Association, the Ministry of Interior Medical Services, the Qatar Armed Forces Medical Services and Action on Diabetes to tackle one of the country’s biggest health challenges.
Diabetes screening is a key strand of AoD’s ongoing efforts to tackle diabetes in Qatar both by educating members of the community and those at risk on the factors that contribute to the condition, and empowering them to avoid and manage it through early detection.
Abdullah al-Kuwari,  head of HSE at Maersk Oil Qatar, said: “We are delighted with the continued success of these screening events and of GCC Health Week overall as part of our drive to build awareness and empower the local community to prevent and treat diabetes. Action on Diabetes demonstrates just what can be achieved when you combine the right mix of partners and expertise.”
Herluf Nis Thomsen, AoD programme manager, said: “Events like these play a vitally important part in helping to successfully deliver the ambitions of the Qatar National Diabetes Strategy. We are focused on equipping the community with the capabilities and tools to prevent and better manage diabetes in Qatar.”