IKOLI VICTOR

DOHA QATAR Diabetes Association (QDA) and El Jaish Sports Club on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly organise a series of diabetics campaigns across the country.

The MoU aims to create awareness and educating the community about diabetes and its preventative measures.

As part of the initiative, QDA and El Jaish Sports Club will hold Al Bawasil International Spring Camp for diabetic children from around the region at the Aspire Academy this month.

The camp will bring together children with diabetes from across the region and beyond for a week-long learning and activity-driven experience.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, QDA Executive Director Dr Abdullah al Hamaq said, “Our aim is to host children with diabetes in a safe environment, one that can help them overcome the emotional and physical hardships that can come with their condition. At the QDA, we hope to host more of these camps, especially for children and their families.” Dr Hamaq also noted that Qatar has one of the highest rates of diabetes prevalence in the region, with 20.2 percent of the population suffering from the disease, according to International Diabetics Federation estimate.

He thanked Jaish for its support, while calling for collaboration with other sports clubs.

General Secretary and Executive Director of El Jaish Sports Club Dr Thani Abdel Rahman al Kuwari said, “We are happy to be part of the diabetes awareness drive and our facilities are free to be used for the purposes. It is part of our community social responsibility (CSR) and a move to support the forthcoming Qatar National Sports Day”.

The Jaish football boss said members of the club would participate in the awareness, as they will be diagnosed during the camp to encourage the children that they are not alone in their quest for a healthy living.

The goals of the project includes awareness of the risks of diabetics and its proper management, improving interest and awareness about healthy living, assisting the population with their health plan and finding ways of improving diabetics diagnosis, education and treatment as well.

The health implications of diabetes can be severe, as living with undiagnosed and uncontrolled diabetes can lead to irreversible complications such as blindness, loss of limbs, stroke, heart disease and renal/kidney failure, and eventually death.

Financial implications are also significant – the IDF estimates healthcare expenditure to manage diabetes and prevent its complications in Qatar was $2,269 per person in 2010.