The Arab Children’s Health Congress 2007 Ambassador, Habiba Malik Al Tawqi, has completed the final leg of her tour of the Middle East in Dubai.

Omani national Habiba, a diabetes patient, was elected 2007 ACHC Ambassador to represent children with Diabetes.

Diagnosed with Diabetes at the age of two, Habiba has undergone amputations to both legs and a kidney transplant as a result of diabetes-related complications. Her experiences have allowed her to shed light on life with Diabetes.

The Arab Children’s Health Congress (ACHC) was launched by Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein in an effort to create a platform for challenged Arab youth and children to discuss health issues and to raise public awareness on health concerns faced by young people in the UAE and the rest of the region.

Every year, a child ambassador is chosen to help spread awareness of his / her particular illness and how it can be conquered.

“I am extremely proud to have been elected as the ACHC Ambassador for 2007 and would like to thank the Congress for giving me the opportunity to speak about my experiences. It is important that children hear about my experiences and realise that when they are able to control the disease, they will be able to lead a happy and fulfilling life. It is my hope that these recommendations will see an improvement in the way diabetes is tackled not only in Dubai, but across the region”, said Habiba.

The road show saw Habiba travel to three different countries within the Middle East, including Qatar, Bahrain and Dubai, where she handed over recommendations to various diabetes associations including the Qatar Diabetes Association and the Bahrain Diabetic Association.

The ambassador handed over the 2007 recommendations, aimed at tackling diabetes in the region, to Qhadi Saeed Al Murooshid, director general of the Dubai Health Authority and Dr Abdul Razak Al Madani, chairman of the Emirates Diabetic Association and director of Dubai Hospital.

Habiba will end her visit by handing over the recommendations to the Oman Diabetic Association upon her return to her home country.

The 2007 key strategic recommendations, which were developed by leading global and regional healthcare professionals at last year’s Arab Children’s Health Congress, focus on providing clear and measurable proposals with the aim of affecting change in regional health policies related to tackling diabetes in the region.

“Diabetes is a disease that affects a surprisingly high number of children across the region. It is our aim to ensure that schools, parents, healthcare professionals and the medical community as a whole is proactive about tackling this disease and improving the welfare of our children,' Al Murooshid said.

Thanking her for all her hard work, Al Murooshid said, 'You are an inspiration to us all and we hope you continue with the work you have been doing to raise awareness of the disease in the region.'

The 2008 Arab Children’s Health Congress is scheduled to take place from March 24 to  27.

The theme for this year’s congress will focus on the theme “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind”. The purpose of the congress will be aimed at reviewing current policies, supporting the provision of better healthcare systems, helping children to make healthy lifestyle changes and to ultimately develop a bill of rights for children to improve their overall quality of life.-TradeArabia News Service