|
Tawam Hospital today took action for World Diabetes Day (Wednesday, November 14th) with a series of educational events for more than 400 students from 16 local schools.
In keeping with this year’s global theme for World Diabetes Day; ‘Diabetes: Protect our Future’, students aged 11 to 17 years old were inspired and informed about diabetes through a series of fun and interactive sessions at the Municipality Theatre. Activities – which were led and managed by the diabetes team and patient education staff from Tawam Hospital - included quizzes, cartoons, and entertainment programmes; as well as formal lectures, and question and answer sessions on diabetes and its prevention.
“The UAE has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the world, affecting between 20-25 per cent of the population,” says Dr Walid Kaplan, Interim CMO of Tawam Hospital and Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist, who participated in the educational sessions. “This means it is absolutely vital to educate and inform our young people about the disease, its causes, its symptoms and warning signs, and how to live with diabetes.”
Top recommendations made to students during the sessions included advice on becoming more active, how to choose healthier foods and what to do in an emergency.
“With about one in four of our local population suffering from the disease, diabetes is an issue that affects almost everyone. It is critical to make sure that our young people are armed with the knowledge they need to take care of diabetic patients during emergencies, or can support their families by encouraging them and educating them on how to make healthier choices in their daily lives,” said Dr Bachar Afandi, Chief of Endocrinology and Diabetes at Tawam Hospital.
The day’s activities also provided an opportunity for young people to discuss their questions and fears about the disease in an open and knowledgeable forum. “We were delighted to be able to provide that setting for them and to have been able to address so many of their concerns, as part of raising the awareness about diabetes, ” said Seham El Khamdi, the Nurse Manager of Tawam Diabetes Clinic.
World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14. The campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation and its member associations, engaging millions of people worldwide in diabetes advocacy and awareness. World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat that diabetes now poses. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight.
Tawam Hospital is part of the SEHA Health System owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
|
New
Review
Abu Dhabi International Airport - 41°F
