Diabetes awareness campaign launched

For the ninth year in a row, the Friends of Diabetes Association, one of the health-promoting organisations under the Health Education Department of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, announced the launching of “Prevention & Co-Existence” campaign.

The announcement came on the sidelines of an official ceremony held on Saturday at Mega Mall Sharjah, in the presence of Khawla Al Haj, Head of the Friends for Diabetes Association, a number of representatives from the Friends of Diabetes Association, participating bodies and campaign volunteers.

The “Prevention & Co-Existence” campaign aims at raising the community awareness of the causes of diabetes and ways of prevention and coexistence with it, encouraging a healthy diet and practicing physical activity.

The campaign will last until next August and will take place at Al Qassimi Hospital, University Hospital, Sharjah Cooperation Society and Mega Mall Sharjah.

Through this campaign, the Friends of Diabetes Association is aiming to conduct medical examinations for 5000 persons, including free checkups for blood pressure, osteoporosis, blood sugar levels, and Body Mass Index (BMI).

Additionally, the campaign will focus on providing educational and awareness advice, with the participation of doctors and health educators, besides diabetes-related entertainment activities, various contests and incentive awards for children.

The “Prevention & Co-Existence” campaign will also feature distributing awareness leaflets, holding a variety of lectures and workshops, as well as organizing a mobile diabetes-related exhibition targeting the general public.

Commenting on the launch of “Prevention & Co-Existence” campaign, Al Haj, Head of the Friends for Diabetes Association, said: “Our Association is keen on launching various educational initiatives, campaigns and programmes that aim to raise the community awareness, bolster patients and encourage them to engage in physical activity. This stems from the Friends of Diabetes Association’s objectives and in line with the wise visions of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah.”

Al Haj stressed that the patronage of Sheikha Jawaher to the initiatives and programmes of the Friends of Diabetes Association, has contributed to achieving the Association’s targets and enhancing the efforts of Sharjah’s health authorities to maintain the health of citizens and residents.

“Since a long time, the Emirate of Sharjah has realized the hazards of unhealthy habits and inactive lifestyles, as they help increase the prevalence of diabetes disease.” Al Haj noted.

She further continued: “Since the launch of this campaign in 2011 until now, the Friends for Diabetes Association is keen on promoting healthcare services in the society and providing health-supportive environment enabling both citizens and residents to adopt positive lifestyles.“

The Head of the Friends of Diabetes Association added that this campaign is one of the most distinguished annual events organised by the Association, through which, it aims at raising people’s awareness about diabetes, its causes, its symptoms and how to reduce its prevalence, in addition to providing free examinations for the general public.

Over the past years, we’ve noticed the increasing number of people, from all society segments, who became more conscious about the negative impacts of inactivity. Not only that, but the individuals have also become more supportive of each other. They are sharing tips, experiences with their friends on social media platforms,” Al Haj stated.

She pointed out that the Friends for Diabetes Association offers its services for thousands of patients, who are benefitted from the medical diagnosis, treatment and awareness in line with the Emirate of Sharjah’s vision in terms of maintaining the health of citizens and residents stimulating them to adopt healthy lifestyle, reducing the spread of diseases via early diagnosis and treatment which is the key pillar to prevent diabetes complications.