DOHA: As a response to public health challenge posed by diabetes here, a project -- Action on Diabetes -- aiming to tackle the rising prevalence of the epidemic was launched here recently. New data released this month from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reveals that at 20.2 percent, with over 200,000 people, Qatar has one of the highest rates of diabetes prevalence in the region.
Action on Diabetes has been initiated by Maersk Oil and is a partnership between Supreme Council of Health (SCH), Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA), Maersk Oil and Novo Nordisk. The project's aim is to support the Qatari authorities in raising awareness of diabetes, advising on how to prevent it, and supporting people already living with diabetes manage their health better.
"The World health Survey done in 2006 showed that some eight percent of the then population here were diagnosed with diabetes, while some 10 percent were classified as being at risk of developing the disease," said Dr Mohammed Al Thani, Director, Public Health department, SCH.
"Later studies here showed that the prevalence of the disease increased to 17 percent and 13 percent f the population were at a pre-diabetic stage, here. Hence there a need for a comprehensive prevention and awareness programme," he said.
Action on Diabetes will run in two phases; the first one starting next year, with the partners working with the Qatari authorities to establish an evidence base on diabetes and design an effective programme of intervention. It will focus on raising awareness of diabetes and its implications amongst the people, here and build the knowledge and resource-base of health care professionals tackling diabetes in Qatar. As a work-place initiative, a health programme for Maersk Oil staff in Qatar will be launched, which can serve as a model for wider use.
In the second phase from year 2013 onwards, Action on Diabetes will support the Qatari authorities in rolling out activities to tackle the rise of diabetes in Qatar, including awareness raising activities and support for action, and share best practice examples from the work in Qatar with the global diabetes community.
"We are very concerned about the rise of diabetes in Qatar, where levels are already amongst the highest in the world. We are really delighted to be getting the support of Maersk Oil and Novo Nordisk in our efforts to tackle the problem," said Dr Abdulla Al Hamaq, Executive Director, QDA.
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.
"As a business committed to the long term in Qatar, the health and wellbeing of our employees and future employees, their families, and indeed the broader community in which we live and work is of great importance to Maersk Oil. It is clear that diabetes poses a significant health challenge," said Lewis Affleck, Managing Director, Maersk Oil in Qatar.
A newly-released survey conducted by Ipsos Emirates Health on behalf of Maersk Oil and Novo Nordisk reveals that many people in Qatar are unaware they may be at risk of developing diabetes. Despite good awareness of diabetes in general, the survey identifies that more education is required as many people in Qatar have a poor understanding of diabetes-related complications. Nearly half of the respondents (46 percent) believe that diabetes cannot cause heart disease, while, more than half of all respondents (54) believe that diabetes cannot cause stroke. Only 64 percent believe that diabetes can lead to blindness, while only 36 percent of people at high risk of developing diabetes agree that having a high body mass index increases the risk of developing diabetes.
In the coming years, the Action on Diabetes partnership will implement a major programme support the Qatar authorities to raise awareness of diabetes - its causes, symptoms and management - amongst the people in Qatar.
© The Peninsula 2011
