Noncommunicable diseases

 
 
 


Events

World Diabetes Day 2008
14 November

On 14 November 2008, the world will observe World Diabetes Day and the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx in Giza, the Mermaid Statue in Alexandria, the Financial Harbour in Bahrain, Al-Manara Square in Ramallah and the statue of Our Lady of Lebanon will all be illuminated in blue, the colour of the World Diabetes Day circular logo—the global symbol for diabetes.

World Diabetes Day is aimed at raising global awareness of diabetes in response to the alarming rise in the prevalence of diabetes around the world. World Diabetes Day was initiated by the International Diabetes Federation in 1991. It has been celebrated ever since and is a truly global event. In December 2006, the United Nations recognized World Diabetes Day as an official UN day.

In 2007 the theme of World Diabetes Day was Diabetes in Children and Adolescents and the theme will be the same this year. Globally, available data indicate that an estimated 246 million people are diabetic. This figure is expected to reach 380 million by 2030. About 80% of deaths related to diabetes occur in low- and middle-income countries. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, diabetes affects over 30 million people. The disease is responsible for a substantial burden in terms of mortality, morbidity and cost.

In countries of the Region the prevalence of diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions, with most countries reporting prevalence rates above 15% among adults aged 25 years and older. In member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) recent national surveys indicated that diabetes prevalence ranged from 7%–25%. In recognition of this high prevalence, the health ministers of the GCC have shown their full support to the 2006 UN resolution on diabetes and consider diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases a top priority on their health agenda.

In their declaration, they recognize the importance of UN Resolution 61/225 and World Health Assembly Resolution 57/17.

Diabetes organizations, nongovernmental organizations, public health departments and other relevant institutions celebrate the day with an extensive range of activities tailored to a variety of groups.

Saudi Arabia

Activities coordinated by the Diabetes Centre at King Saud University will include:

  • a seminar on diabetes in children and adolescents for health professionals at the Al Khozama Hotel on 6 November. Speakers will include well-known pediatricians, endocrinologists, dietitians and educators. Around 1000 participants are expected to attend.

  • a public awareness programme from 13 November to 4 December on diabetes in children and adolescents in local schools and selected malls of the city. The programme will consist of lectures, blood glucose testing, shows for adults and children, poster exhibitions and the distribution of educational material. Last year, the same event was visited by around 100 000 people.

  • roadside advertising boards on which diabetes awareness messages will be displayed.

Bahrain

 

The Bahrain Diabetes Association, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, will be holding a festival to raise awareness of diabetes. Activities will include:

  • the organization of a workshop on 6 November for school health nurses and teachers on "How to deal with a child with diabetes at school."

  • seminars on World Diabetes Day (with lectures and an exhibition) from 12 to 13 November, organized in collaboration with the College of Health Science.

On 14 November the following activities will be taking place:

  • the illumination of the Financial Harbour;

  • a community walk;

  • community health education;

  • screening (blood tests) for diabetes;

  • press and TV conference;

  • a children's art competition;

  • distribution of symbolic gifts for all people organizing and participating in the festival.

Egypt

 

The Great Pyramid and the Sphinx in Giza will be illuminated in blue on 14 November to mark the day. The Egyptian Diabetes Association has planned the following activities:

  • the illumination of the Mermaid Statue (a symbol of the city of Alexandria) in blue lights;

  • a social gathering and event from 13 to 14 November at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Suzan Mubarak Centre for people with diabetes, their families and volunteers and members of the Egyptian Diabetes Association;

  • a walk with children from schools in Alexandria and marine boy scouts on 14 November;

  • press and TV conferences at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Suzan Mubarak Centre on 14 November;

  • the publishing of articles by the Regional Chair of the Middle East News Agency on World Diabetes Day and on the United Nations Resolution on diabetes in two major newspapers;

  • mass screening for detection of undiagnosed diabetes, and free blood glucose testing for people with diabetes;

  • distribution of symbolic gifts to people with diabetes and also to community members participating in the celebrations;

  • a children's art competition with distribution of prizes.

Similar activities will take place in Cairo, El Menia, Mansoura and Sohag. The activities will be held under the patronage of the Governor of Alexandria and the Minister of Health and Population.

Doqqi Shooting Club and the Diabetic Youth Care Association will:

  • show a film entitled 'A day in the life of a child with diabetes' in different locations;

  • display educational cartoons in different locations;

  • appoint five professors to deliver lectures on the best approaches to safe and healthy lives for people with diabetes with minimal complications;

  • conduct sports competitions among club members;

  • provide free glucose measurements to all visitors.

United Arab Emirates

As part of its continuing commitment to raise awareness and reduce the risks of diabetes in the United Arab Emirates, the 2008 Unite for Diabetes campaign is scheduled to take place from Monday 10 November 2008 to Saturday 15 November 2008 at Ibn Battuta Mall. Ibn Battuta Mall, in association with Jebel Ali Hospital and Ex Health, is partnering with Al Ain Water and Fitness First to help educate the population on how to maintain a balance between a busy, yet sedentary, lifestyle and staying healthy.

With the World Diabetes Day focus for 2008 on diabetes in children, Ibn Battuta Mall has designed a five-day interactive event for adults and children to enjoy. During the week, activities, such as cooking, sports simulators and exercise demonstrations and activities will be conducted in the mall to encourage children to adopt a more active routine.

The spotlight event for the day is the second annual diabetes awareness walkathon. The walkathon, WALK UAE 2008, is set to take place on 14 November in the capital, Abu Dhabi, with more that 10 000 walkers taking part.

Islamic Republic of Iran

The Islamic Republic of Iran will celebrate the day by:

  • organizing communal walks in different parks of Tehran;

  • forming blue circles of people with diabetes wearing blue T-shirts in different parks of Tehran;

  • conducting free blood glucose screenings;

  • conducting a one-day seminar on the prevention of obesity and diabetes in different schools of Tehran;

  • conducting several one-day seminars on the prevention of diabetes for the general public in different cultural centres in Tehran;

  • holding an art competition for children with diabetes;

  • translating the International Diabetes Federation poster into Farsi, printing 1000 copies of it and placing them on the bulletin boards of educational and research centres, hospitals, pharmacies, schools, universities, train and subway stations, airports and public places;

  • translating educational materials produced by the International Diabetes Federation into Farsi.

Occupied Palestinian territory

 

The International Federation of the Medical Students’ Association, Palestine, and Augusta Victoria Hospital will celebrate World Diabetes Day by:

  • providing free blood tests, fasting glucose tests, body mass index measurement, blood pressure measurement and eye and leg examinations for people with diabetes on 13 November. All examinations will be conducted by specialists;

  • illuminating Al-Manara Square in Ramallah with blue lights;

  • printing and distributing informative brochures and booklets;

  • distributing diabetes medications for free to people with diabetes;

  • organizing a communal walk.

The walk to fight diabetes is a full-day activity that will be preceded by a screening day, and will also include a school campaign. At the end of the day, all participants and volunteers will walk through the streets of Ramallah holding candles and flags.

Lebanon

On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, the Dietary Division at Rafik Hariri University Hospital is holding a one day event entitled "Helping people cope with Diabetes". On the program there will be a series of lectures presented by an endocrinologist, dietitian, and a registered nurse. Additionally, patients will have the opportunity for direct free consultations by the multidisciplinary team along with a free screening for blood glucose and blood pressure.

The following activities are planned in Harissa, Lebanon, to mark the day:

  • illuminating the "Our Lady of Lebanon" statue (Notre Dame du Liban);

  • organizing a 30-minute communal walk;

  • distributing educational material on diabetes and conducting free screenings.