Diabetes specialists from Hamad Medical Corporation make their debut presentation for a private company by raising diabetes awareness at Nakilat

Doha, February 26th, 2013

Nakilat, Qatar's premier gas transporter, has welcomed experts from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) for the first ever diabetes awareness sessions to be given by HMC to a private company.

HMC's diabetes specialists conducted four sessions over two days at Nakilat's head office in Doha and at Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in Ras Laffan, on 25th-26th February, 2013.

Recognizing that diabetes is a key health issue globally and an area of major focus in Qatar, Nakilat hosted the diabetes awareness sessions to promote understanding of the condition, its causes, symptoms and treatments, and what can be done to prevent employees and their families from developing diabetes.

In learning about how people can live with diabetes and manage the disease, Nakilat's employees were introduced to the types of medicines that people with diabetes use, while food suitable for a diabetic diet was served during the sessions.

HMC also conducted diabetes tests on staff members who wished to be tested for the disease.

Nakilat's staff learned how up to 20 percent of Qatar's population is affected by diabetes, with an estimated 50 per cent of sufferers worldwide having not yet been diagnosed.

Nakilat recognizes that its people are the company's greatest asset. The diabetes awareness sessions are part of ongoing Safety, Health Environment and Quality (SHEQ) programs being organized in the interest of the health and welfare of Nakilat's staff. The SHEQ programs conducted to date include cancer awareness sessions, defensive driving training for all staff, and a host of healthy activities for National Sport Day. Future plans include a blood donation drive at Nakilat's head office in March.

Muhammad Ghannam, Nakilat's Managing Director, said: "The health and welfare of our employees is top priority at Nakilat. Diabetes can be a serious problem, but with increased awareness of the symptoms and treatment, it becomes a manageable condition. We are sincerely grateful to HMC for bringing this expertise to Nakilat's offices and for delivering these important messages about diabetes to our staff."

Abdullah Al Sulaiti, Nakilat's Deputy Managing Director, commented: "The welfare of our employees and their families is key to Nakilat's success. We hope that the information on diabetes kindly provided by HMC will make a real difference in the lives of our staff, their relatives, their friends, and the wider community. By raising awareness of diabetes among our employees, Nakilat intends to help reduce rates of the disease in Qatar."

Nakilat is a Qatari-owned marine company providing the critical transportation link in Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply chain, overseeing the activities of the country's world-class shipyard, and assisting vessels in Qatari waters. Established in 2004 as a joint stock company -- owned 50 per cent by its founding shareholders and 50 per cent by the public -- Nakilat has the largest LNG shipping fleet in the world, comprising 54 LNG vessels and four liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) very large gas carriers (VLGCs). For more information visit: www.nakilat.com.qa.

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For more information please contact Rebecca Watson, Communications Specialist -- 4499 8111 or rwatson@qgtc.com.qa

© Press Release 2013