According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the frequency of diabetes is rising around the world, and studies show children are at increasing risk of developing the disease. Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. The WHO states that in 2019, diabetes and kidney disease due to diabetes caused an estimated 2 million deaths.
Over time, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves, causing chronic problems and early death and the Middle East have one of the highest incidences of several types of diabetes in children. Experts say that children with type 1 diabetes are at risk of other autoimmune disorders, such as thyroid disease and celiac disease.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced the implementation of KiDS Diabetes Awareness programme in several schools in Qatar, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and Sanofi Pharmaceutical.
According to officials, the main objective of KiDS programme is to raise awareness in schools about the prevention of type I diabetes and how to manage it, with a focus on the risk factors associated with type II diabetes. It is estimated that 10 percent of patients with diabetes in MENA region currently have type 1 diabetes -- the most prevalent disease among children. The programme will educate students, teachers and parents about diabetes and its risk factors. This program is also in line with the theme of the World Diabetes Day “Education to Protect Tomorrow”, where diabetics need to receive continuous education to properly manage the disease.
Director of Public Health Department at the MoPH Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani extolled the importance of schools for innovative diabetes prevention and management for children. He said schools can advocate for and support children with diabetes by understanding their monitoring and treatment needs, assisting with appropriate food choices, promoting physical activity, among other considerations, adding that the programme will improve school policies on diabetes in line with the objectives of Qatar Diabetes Strategy, Public Health Strategy, and National Health Strategy.
On the other hand, Director of the Health and Safety Department at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Mohammed Al Maraghi said the initiative will contribute to providing a supportive environment for children with diabetes. Initiatives like this go a long way in raising awareness about the disease and preparing parents, caregivers, teachers and patients to understand and manage the disease to ensure longer and healthy life.
