AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation Marks World Diabetes Day

Manama, 17 November / BNA / As part of the celebration of World Diabetes Day, which falls on 14 November each year, AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation held its monthly gathering for students of the Rayaat Scholarship Program under this theme at Isa Cultural Centre.

The gathering opened with an address by Dr. Musa Abu Odeh of the Middle East Medical Centre, who stressed that diabetes is one of the chronic diseases that have come to pose a threat to members of society, noting that the incidence rate in the Kingdom of Bahrain is among the highest.

He explained that the latest survey of non-communicable diseases conducted in the Kingdom of Bahrain showed that the number of children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes is steadily rising, increasing from 18 cases annually to 45 cases annually, and reaching as many as 60 cases in some years. This is attributed to a lack of health awareness among individuals, in addition to unhealthy habits and behaviours. The programme also included medical screening of the students' blood sugar levels, carried out by the Middle East Medical Centre.

Dr. Saqer Al Khalifa then delivered an address in which he explained how to live with the disease by committing to a healthy lifestyle, and guided the students on ways to avoid diabetes. He serves as a role model in this regard, being a person living with diabetes who has managed to control it by changing his dietary habits and lifestyle. It is worth noting that he takes part in sporting competitions at the Kingdom level.
AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation also extends its thanks to Isa Cultural Centre for its continued cooperation in ensuring the success of the Foundation's events.