Action on Diabetes (AoD), a public-private partnership initiated and funded by Maersk Oil Qatar, and Hamad Medical Corporation organised a diabetes screening for those attending Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Doha recently.
With attendance for prayers at mosques increasing during the holy month, the programme presents an “ideal opportunity” to screen the local community for diabetes, help people understand its risks and provide advice on managing the condition and eating healthily during Ramadan, according to a statement.
Following Friday’s prayers, 25 screening booths staffed by trained diabetes nurses and educators were set up in the entrance hallway of the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque.
More than 1,000 worshippers visited the booths to get screened and receive a personalised analysis of results. The Grand Mosque was particularly busy with many people attending prayers led by Imam Mohamed al-Araifi.
The trained diabetes educators provided recommendations on how to fast safely during Ramadan and reduce the risk of developing diabetes in the future. Brochures and educational information were also distributed to provide people with information on diabetes, the importance of early detection and tips on having a healthy lifestyle.
The screening event will be repeated on July 10.
Professor Abdul-Badi Abou-Samra, chairman of internal medicine at HMC, said: “We’re extremely pleased with the success of this programme and of our close partnership with Action on Diabetes.”
Ahmed al-Kuwari, technical liaison manager at Maersk Oil Qatar, said: “The screening programme at the Grand Mosque continues the success of our previous partnerships and screening activities that have taken place during Ramadan.”
This year’s programme is one of several educational, awareness and screening programmes led by AoD – a partnership set up by Maersk Oil Qatar, Qatari health authorities and Novo Nordisk, a leader in diabetes care – that will take place during Ramadan.
AoD is collaborating with a number of leading organisations across Qatar, including the Supreme Council of Health, HMC, Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA), to deliver a range of events designed to educate people with diabetes about precautions to follow while fasting, as well as how to manage their condition and medication effectively.   
Herluf Nis Thomsen, AoD programme manager, said: “We would like to extend our thanks to Hamad Medical Corporation for its partnership and to the Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs for its co-operation on this initiative.”
For queries related to diabetes during Ramadan, one can contact the QDA hotline at 44547311 or 55274919 from 8.30am to 1.30pm. For medication instructions or more information, contact the HMC and PHCC hotline at 55981331 from 8pm to 11pm.


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