screening thousands of residents across the country and raising awareness to better manage and prevent the disease.
Observed each year on November 14, World Diabetes Day was introduced by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organisation in 1991. The global awareness campaign is aimed at increasing understanding of diabetes risk factors, symptoms and prevention.
“Raising awareness of diabetes through events such as World Diabetes Day is critical. At HMC we dedicate a significant amount of time to educating our patients, and the public, about diabetes and its risk factors. We recognise it is essential that the whole community understands this disease. It is only through greater public awareness and education that we will be able to lessen the burden of this disease. Screenings, as a strategy to promote early detection and treatment, are a very important part of the work we do,” said  Manal Othman, director, Diabetes Education at HMC.
HMC’s major public outreach and awareness activities this year will include free screenings in Doha, Al Khor and Al Wakra. The importance of exercise and healthy eating as a strategy to manage all types of diabetes will be highlighted. Screenings will include nutrition education, blood glucose screening and prize giveaways. A number of diabetes education sessions for students and teachers in schools across Qatar are also planned.
“Simple lifestyle measures have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. Maintaining a normal body weight, engaging in regular physical activity and eating a healthy diet can reduce the risk of diabetes. One of the first steps for prevention is to get tested and understand your risk for developing type 2 diabetes,” added Othman.