Gulf countries ‘top’ world in type-2 diabetes

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 13: Dr. Walid Al- Dhahi, an endocrinology and diabetes consultant and the Chairman of the Kuwait Diabetes Society, highlighted the dangers of the high rate of diabetes in the country. In a press statement issued yesterday on the sidelines of the Kuwait Diabetes Society’s celebration of the World Diabetes Day with the cooperation of the Endocrinology Unit of Farwaniya Hospital, Dr. Al-Dhahi said the Gulf countries are first in the world in terms of type 2 diabetes, and second in type 1 after European countries. He explained that Kuwait needs a national program supported by a package of laws adopted by the National Assembly to confront this disease. There are similar successful national programs in many countries of the world, such as Australia.

There are many challenges faced by the state and relevant institutions to combat this disease at various levels, according to World Health Organization’s estimates, rates of infection are expected to double in the next thirty years, due to which it has become necessary to combine efforts to confront this great challenge. Diabetes is linked to many other diseases, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, and atherosclerosis. Dr. Al-Dhahi warned that irregular blood sugar levels lead to weak immunity, which has recently been observed in the spread of COVID-19 infection rates among diabetic patients more than others.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Internal Medicine Department at Farwaniya Hospital and the Treasurer of the Kuwait Diabetes Society Dr. Naila Al-Mazidi said the celebration includes many activities and events to educate the public about the importance of maintaining blood diabetes levels through healthy eating habits, exercising, and following a healthy lifestyle. She highlighted the distribution of awareness brochures to the public and the provision of free medical consultations as well as check-ups for patients suffering from diabetes, blood pressure, and cumulative blood sugar, through the doctors, pharmacists, and nutritionists participating in the event.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff