A Walkathon and Family Entertainment Day was organised in Dubai to mark the World Diabetes Day (WDD).

The event was organised under the patronage of deputy ruler of Dubai and minister of finance and industry, UAE, Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and endorsed by head of department of health and medical services (DOHMS) Qadai Al Murooshid in association with sanofi-aventis Pharmaceuticals and the Emirates Diabetes Society.

This year’s WDD was a particularly special occasion as it was the first “United Nations” endorsed World Diabetes Day, said an official.

This day (November 14) is celebrated world wide by over 200 member associations of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in more than 160 countries. The theme this year is “diabetes in children and adolescents”.

The aim of this initiative in the UAE is to raise awareness of the rising prevalence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes especially in children and adolescents, while also educating the population about the common risk factors that may lead to diabetes.

"Early diagnosis and early education are crucial for reducing complications and saving lives. The healthcare community, educators, parents and guardians must join forces to help children living with diabetes and prevent the condition in those at risk,” said Dr head of Emirates Diabetes Society Abdulrazzaq Al Madani.

The main impetus for this day is education, and fun for the entire family. “The Middle East has one of the highest rates of obesity and diabetes in the world,” said consultant diabetologist, head of Diabetes Unit, Rashid Hospital, Dr Ghaida Khaddaha. – TradeArabia News Service