July 2012 Vol: 1 Issue: 4 MENA - Newsletter MENA - NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 July 2012 Vol: 1 Issue: 4 MENA - Newsletter MENA - NEWSLETTER Editors of this Issue: Dr. Amir Kamran Dr. Abdulla Al Hamaq Mr. Ashraf. P V

2 INTERNATIONAL DIABETES FEDERATION MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA (MENA) (IDF/MENA REGION) July 2012 Vol: 1 Issue: 4 WDD 2012: ACT ON DIABETES NOW. WORLD DIABETES DAY World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated every year on November 14. The World Diabetes Day campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and its member associations. It engages 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. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2007 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight. This year sees the second of a five-year campaign that will address the growing need for diabetes education and prevention programmes. World Diabetes Day is a campaign that features a new theme chosen by the International Diabetes Federation each year to address issues facing the global diabetes community. While the themed campaigns last the whole year, the day itself is celebrated on November 14, to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in QATAR DIABETES ASSOCATION Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) started its celebration of World Diabetes Day, which occurs Nov. 14 of each year. During this month, QDA is holding various activities and seminars in all over the country to identify Diabetes, its complications and risks, as well as emphasis the importance of awareness and health education, among people who already have diabetes and the ones who are at risk. In this regard, QDA is holding seminars and training workshops to the staff of the health sector, it will also distribute posters to the health centers as well as other governmental and private organizations in the state of Qatar. IDF/MENA Regional office; Post Box No. 752; Doha Qatar; Tel: / ; qda-idf@qf.org.qa

3 QATAR DIABETES ASSOCIATION AL BAWASIL CAMP FOR CHILDREN WITH DIABETES: The Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) hosted the 12th Al-Bawasil camp for children with diabetes from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, from February at the Aspire Academy. A total of 70 children from 15 different countries were attended the event, being considered the largest in the region, and which will be held under the patronage of the Supreme Council of Health s public health department director Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad al-thani. Among the participating children, aged from seven to 13 years, are some 20 newly diagnosed children from Qatar, with the rest of the participants from Bahrain, Oman, UAE, Iraq, Yemen, Algeria, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Morocco, Iran and Pakistan. The aim of the camp under the theme, We Can, is to enhance the skills of children with diabetes by teaching them the importance of following healthy habits that help them control their blood sugar levels, through activities, workshops and programmes prepared in advance that suits their age group. The main mission of the camp is for the children to learn how to depend on themselves in dealing with diabetes, especially in injecting themselves with insulin, which might be a huge step forward to some of the participants. Camp manager and care programmes unit head, Noura al- Ibrahim, said: The main objectives of the camp is to help those children to discover their potentials that enable them to overcome the difficulties they face in their battle with diabetes, as well as living with it and avoiding its complications. We want them to consider the concepts we teach them at the camp as a lifestyle that they should follow in their daily life, in order to beat diabetes and therefore be active members in the communities, she said adding, this year s

4 theme is We Can because we want the children with diabetes to believe in themselves, knowing that they are able to do anything. The camp will consists of several committees such as the medical and the nutrition committees, programmes and activities committee, the discipline committee and other committees that rely mostly on volunteers who have received extensive trainings on how to deal with diabetes patients in general, and children in particular. Camp Goals - Exchange of experience and integrate the children with the society. - Assisting children in handling their feelings towards their condition - Assists children to depend on themselves and adapt a personal independence - Teaching children how to inject themselves with insulin - Educating children these techniques - Arranging nutritional programs - Used to control the blood sugar level, after the camp - Observe and treatment of the low & high blood sugar - Spend a joyful and wonderful time, having a rare opportunity to interact with their peers from a variety of national backgrounds who share the common experience of living diabetes

5 SOCIETY HOLDING SWIMMING TRAINING COURSE FOR DIABETES: The Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) in cooperation with the Qatar Foundation Recreation Center is holding a swimming training course for people with diabetes. Who have registered with the association, as part of its ongoing plans to improve the quality of lives of diabetics in Qatar. Q A T A R D I A B E T E S A S S O C I A T I O N The course consists of a series of swimming training sessions that will continue until January 30. QDA executive director Dr. Abdulla Al Hamaq expressed his appreciation to the recreation centre for their contribution to improving the level of healthcare being received by people with diabetes. He also emphasized the importance of sports in general for people with diabetes, especially swimming which he said has significant health benefits in avoiding high risk problem such as heart and blood vessels diseases. Swimming burns calories and lead to weight loss. This is considered a benefit for people with diabetes. It also strengthens major body muscles. Which then is more efficient in the absorption of the blood sugar, resulting in lowering blood sugar levels, he said. NATIONAL SPORTS DAY: Maersk Oil Qatar and Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) teamed up to celebrate the first National Sports Day on Tuesday. The event was held as part of the Action On Diabetes partnership that was launched in November 2011 by Maersk Oil, QDA, the Supreme Council of Health, Hamad Medical Corporation and Novo Nordisk. Organized at the Aspire Zone, the event attracted more than 4,000 sports enthusiasts and visitors. Fitness First and Bootcamp Qatar provided exercise classes and sessions for all visitors. The range of classes and sessions included Body Combat, Zumba, Body Balance and Body Jam, Bootcamp, and many more fun sports activities and games. A football and basketball tournament was also organized for staff and families of Maersk Oil Qatar and QDA. The event also hosted 70 children from the Al Bawasel Camp organized yearly by QDA for local and regional children living with diabetes. The aim of the event was to encourage an active lifestyle by regular exercise and healthy diet. Maersk Oil Qatar deputy managing director Sheikh Faisal bin Fahad al-thani thanked all the event partners for helping to make the first National Sports Day celebrations a huge success. QDA executive director Dr Abdulla al- Hamaq said the event showed how important sport is for health, especially for people with diabetes.

6 SHOT IN THE ARM FOR QATAR DIABETES CARE: Sheikh Mohamed al-thani, director of the Supreme Council of Health, led a delegation from the Action on Diabetes partnership to Rome and Copenhagen last week. The group, which included Dr Abdullah al-hamaq of the Qatar Diabetes Association - part of Qatar Foundation, Dr Mahmoud Zirie of Hamad Medical Corporation, and representatives from Maersk Oil Qatar and world leader in diabetes care, Novo Nordisk, visited leading diabetes experts and treatment/education facilities in both Italy and Denmark. This was an excellent opportunity for our partnership to learn more about some of the best-practice solutions that support diabetes prevention and patient care, said Sheikh Mohamed, speaking during the visit. We had a very productive trip and identified a number of initiatives that we believe can be replicated or adapted for use in Qatar. The visit began on March 6, when the Action on Diabetes delegation met Italian senator Antonio Tomassini, chairman of the health committee, senate of the Italian Republic, and member of the parliamentary association for the protection and promotion of the rights to prevention. The exchange of knowledge and information was followed by a tour of the Italian senate. On Wednesday, the delegation travelled to the University of Rome Tor Vergata, where they met with the president of the Italian Barometer Diabetes Observatory and member of the Clinical Research Board of the Qatar Foundation, Professor Renato Lauro. The Italian delegation shared information on a number of successful registry, awareness and education projects, and offered their support and guidance to adapt some of these initiatives for implementation in Qatar. On March 8, the delegation visited Copenhagen, Denmark, where they met leading Danish experts in diabetes. The delegates visited the Danish Diabetes Association (DDA), a private organisation with around 80,000 members and 40 partners, which shared a number of good-practice ideas with the Action on Diabetes delegation, some of which could be of value in Qatar. This was followed by a visit to the Steno Centre, considered one of the world s leading diabetes research and treatment facilities, where the Action on Diabetes delegation learnt more about diabetes related research, patient care, health promotion and education activities undertaken by the centre s specialist teams. Again, a number of opportunities were identified for potential future collaboration. On Friday, the delegation met the vice-chairman of the World Diabetes Association, Dr Anil Kapur, who shared information on the successful diabetes projects that his organization has delivered in developing countries around the world. Denmark is the home of Maersk Oil, and the visit concluded with a lunch hosted by Jakob Thomasen, Maersk Oil s CEO, and a senior delegation from the Maersk organization.

7 DIABETICS ADVISED PRECAUTIONS DURING RAMADAN FASTING Q A T A R D I A B E T E S A S S O C I A T I O N Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) and HMC have hosted a Diabetes and Ramadan symposium to provide guidance and support to diabetics on how to manage health when fasting during Ramadan. Ramadan is an important time of the year for people with diabetes, thus, we at QDA try to hold such events prior to Ramadan on an annual basis in which we provide the patients with education and recommendations about signs and symptoms of hyper and hypoglycemia, medication administration, and management to help them fast in a safe way and to minimise health risks, said Dr Abdulla al-hamaq, executive director, QDA. He stressed that it was important that people with diabetes take into account the necessary precautions during Ramadan, in order to prevent complications associated with fasting. Dr Mohsen Eledrisi, diabetes and endocrinology consultant at HMC, said that people with diabetes need to visit their doctor at least a month before Ramadan to determine their ability to fast. A medical examination and reviews for blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels to assess the overall situation of each patient is necessary, he maintained. Dr Eledrisi pointed out that fasting may impose a medical risk and the doctor may advise against fasting for the patients with type 1 diabetes (those who are on insulin injections), those who had several attacks of low sugars, those who had recent attacks of very low or very high sugar, pregnant women, those who work under intense working conditions, those with kidney disease, those with advanced diabetes complications such as heart attack or stroke and elderly patients who are not medically stable. He advised diabetics to follow up with their dietician and diabetes educator to obtain further information and devise a personalised action plan for their fasting and meal plan. Since dietary habits frequently change during Ramadan. Some people tend to overeat at the Iftar time, while others prefer to have another meal between the Iftar and Suhoor. Therefore, the doctor may adjust the doses of medications especially insulin injections to avoid sudden rise or drop in the sugar levels, he cautioned. He also stressed on the importance of regular blood sugar testing at home while fasting and after Iftar. The event was sponsored by Maersk Oil Qatar under the Action on Diabetes partnership. Ramadan and diabetes patients workshop was a great platform for patients to discuss and receive valuable

8 advice about safe fasting, said Sheikh Faisal bin Fahad al-thani, deputy managing director, Maersk Oil Qatar, while explaining that the Action on Diabetes partnership aims to support the Qatari authorities in raising awareness about diabetes, helping those at risk, and supporting people already living with diabetes. This is a good example of one of the many projects the partnership is currently implementing, he noted. The workshop was held as part of the Action On Diabetes partnership launched by Maersk Oil, QDA, the Supreme Council of Health, HMC and world leader in diabetes care - Novo Nordisk. MOBILE DIABETIC UNIT: In the context of our endeavor to achieve vision and objectives of the association s effort to combat diabetes, Qatar Diabetes Association lunched the mobile Diabetic clinic which will provide the QDA services to the remote, industrial areas and schools. We will be able to take diabetes

9 care closer to people in remote and industrial areas here and hence make a difference in the lives of residents, through the mobile clinic. The facility will help us raise the quality of life in Qatar through raising awareness of healthy lifestyles, management and prevention of diabetes. The mobile unit consists of three rooms, each dedicated for specific needs. One room will be used for awareness activities and simple diagnostic procedure. So it will have a television and educational facilities, apart from tools for simple glucose and other tests. Another room will be dedicated for eye care and so will be equipped with retinal camera, while the third room will exclusively focus on foot care. The mobile facility will enable wide eyes screening for retinopathy and help expert to check for diabetic foot diseases. QDA and other health experts can go to remote places with all the facilities instead of having branches of facilities open there. Also we can go to schools and other public places for awareness programs. The facility will increase the scope of QDA, It will be ran by a Physician & professional diabetes educators, it contain 3 rooms: - Education and blood sugar test - Retina Checking - Foot Care AN AWARNESS PROGRAM AT AL JAZEERA TELEVISION STAFF s Qatar Diabetes Association organized an awareness campaign about diabetes at Al- Jazeera Televion s Network staff s, the program focused on diabetes management and its prevention, beside its effects on workers and the company. The function was part of the ongoing QDA campaign named Diabetes at Work Awareness Campaign which aims at enlightening people on diabetes management and prevention at work places. The officials had their blood sugar tested and underwent diabetes risk assessment. They were also given brochures with information about the management and prevention of the ailment. Our goals are to educate and bring awareness to people with or at risk for diabetes or delay the onset of diabetes and provide educational tool and resources to the staff with diabetes to effectively manage their diabetes.

10 BRITISH COUNCIL, QDA JOIN HANDS TO FIGHT DIABETES Winetroube and Dr. Abdulla Al Hamaq shake hands after signing the agreement to train diabetes educators using the Warwick University's Diabetes Manual. The British Council and the Qatar Diabetes Association recently signed an agreement to build cultural and educational partnerships between the UK and Qatar in an effort to face the challenge of educating people about the risks of diabetes and about lifestyle changes, which can prevent the disease or manage its impact. British Council director Simon Winetroube and QDA executive chairman Dr Abdullah al-hamaq signed the agreement at the QDA office. Through the partnership, a Diabetes Manual written by Warwick University will be made available to diabetes educators in Qatar. There are plans by Britain and the QDA to collaborate with Warwick to translate the manual from English to Arabic as well as to adapt the content to accommodate the culture of the region. An initial print run of 1,000 copies will be distributed to diabetes educators in Qatar and a certified trainer from Warwick will come to lead a regional workshop on how to make best use of the manual. It is expected that the Arabic translation of the manual will be ready by the end of October before the training workshop, which is scheduled for November. The manual is the output of some extensive research by leading specialists, academics and scientists in the field from Warwick University in the UK. Speaking at a press conference after signing the agreement, Winetroube said: Diabetes is a massive and growing health issue all over the world. The UK and Qatar share the challenge of educating people about the risks of diabetes and about the lifestyle changes which can prevent it or manage the impact. He explained that an unexpected outcome of the QDA s participation in the British Council Research symposium in Kuwait is leading to the ground-breaking work on diabetes training manual by Warwick University. Together with the QDA, I hope we will be able to make the best possible use of the manual in Qatar and perhaps later, across the Gulf, he said. However, he described the relationship between the two organisations as an important one and the beginning of long-term partnership with QDA. Diabetes education can be very valuable for Qatar and the region and QDA has taken the perfect partner to evaluate the manual and apply its content to Qatar. We really hope to make a difference in the region, he said. Al-Hamaq said: I am happy with this promising partnership, which will contribute to increasing awareness of diabetes through such an important achievement the Diabetes Manual. We always strive to reach all segments of the community through such educational opportunities for health care providers and patients, he said. The agreement was an outcome of long-standing efforts exerted by the British Council to promote research partnerships between the UK and the Gulf countries.

11 DIABETES ASSOCIATION TO HOLD RAMADAN ACTIVITIES The Qatar Diabetes Association is holding various activities during the Holy Month of Ramadan to try and help people with diabetes to control their blood sugar levels during fasting hours. Q A T A R D I A B E T E S A S S O C I A T I O N Like every year, QDA is providing a hotline service for people with diabetes or their families that they can call and get information, support and recommendations especially in case of emergency. QDA is organizing some workshops for people with diabetes in co-ordination with Friends of Environment Centre and the EID Charity Ramadan Tents. It will be about fasting and diabetes and how to avoid having extremely low or high blood sugar levels. There will also be free testing for the audience. The workshops will be given by Dr Abdullah al-hamaq, QDA executive director, and Dr Mahmoud Zirie, consultant/head of endocrinology, Diabetes Division of Medicine Department, Hamad Medical Corporation. QDA strives to provide education and awareness about diabetes, its symptoms, and complications, by holding such events. The objective is to help teach diabetics how to maintain a healthy lifestyle even during Ramadan by giving them some valuable recommendation on how to prepare some of their favourite traditional food but in a healthier way in order to help them have a healthy fasting. One of the main challenges of Ramadan is that most of patients with diabetes tend to have bad dietary habits during the holy month as well as neglecting their prescribed medication. The QDA works through its awareness programme to combat these challenges and help the diabetics have a safe and healthy Ramadan.

12 IDF/MENA REGION - NEWSLETTER IRANIAN DIABETES SOCIETY (IDS) Iranian Diabetes Society (IDS), except Headquarter which located in Tehran the capital of Iran, has 23 active branches in different cities of Iran. The followings are the summary of main activities of Headquarter of IDS in Holding a two-day workshop for nurses who came from different cities of Iran on January. 2- Holding the living with diabetes seminar for elderly diabetes with collaboration of Municipality of Tehran on 16 February. 3- Holding training course in Iranian New Year holidays for diabetes kids who lives in remote areas of Iran in the location of headquarter of IDS from 25 to 27 March. 4- Holding the ceremony of Iranian Diabetes foundation in the location of Laleh Hotel of Tehran on 3 May. More than 500 members of IDS participated in the ceremony. 5- Holding first summer camps of 2012 for diabetic kids in Karaj city on 29 June. More than 150 diabetic kids and parents from 4 branches of IDS (Tehran, Karaj, Islam shar and Quzvin) participated in this camp. 6- Holding two diabetes training courses in the location of headquarter of IDS weekly for diabetics. 7- Establishment of new branch of IDS in central part of Tehran with financial support of Novo Nordisk. Every week two additional training course are held in this new branch of IDS as well. 8- Holding diabetes training course in the summer vacation for diabetic Kids. Every week we have a three-day course for diabetic kid in the location of IDS. 9- Holding so many one-day seminars for the staff of different governmental organizations on healthy diet and prevention of obesity and diabetes. 10- Writing so many articles about diabetes and Ramadan in so many popular Magazines and Newspapers of Iran 11- Collaboration with Azad University of Iran for holding a Monthly diabetes course for medical students. 12- Publishing the 53rd and 54th issue of PAYAM-E-DIABET magazine of IDS. Celebration of IDS Foundation Day

13 IDF/MENA R E G I O N - N E W S L E T T E R IDS - Diabetes Courses in New Year Holidays Diabetes Awareness Class for Kids in summer holidays

14 DIABETIC ASSOCIATION OF PAKISTAN Activities of Diabetic Association of Pakistan 1. To encourage and support Type 1 diabetic children in their efforts towards managing diabetes and leading a healthy happy life, a programme Diabetes Young Voices was conducted at the Diabetic Association of Pakistan (DAP) on 19 May 2012 where diabetic children had participated with full enthusiasm. The objective was to increase awareness about diabetes and know about their problems and apprehension by encouraging them to speak out. It was a fun filled activity and was very much enjoyed by the children. 2. A painting competition was also held for type 1 children under the age of 16 years and prizes were given to the top three winners. 3. Diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate in Pakistan. There are currently (approx.) 7.1 million diabetic patients in Pakistan and this number is expected to rise to 11.4 million by 2030 and Pakistan will have the 10th highest population of diabetics in the world. To improve the standards of diabetes care in Pakistan, the Diabetic Association of Pakistan (DAP) has started programmes from March 2012, in which 20 workshops will be held to educate 1000 healthcare professionals from smaller towns and cities in early detection and better management of diabetes. The main objective of this programme is to educate the family physicians in managing diabetes patients on day to day basis. These trained Health care professionals will manage one thousand (1000) clinics which Diabetic Association of Pakistan will establish across Pakistan within one year. Each clinic will be provided by equipments such as glucometer, BP apparatus, monofilament, tuning fork, neurotherm etc free of cost rd Advanced course on diabetes for family physicians, postgraduate students and registrars will be organised by the Diabetic Association of Pakistan from September 10 to September 15, World Diabetes Day will be celebrated on November 11, 2012.

15 DIABETIC ASSOCIATION OF PAKISTAN

16 SAUDI DIABETES AND ENDOCRINE ASSOCIATION Educational Activities of Saudi Diabetes and Endocrine Association (SDEA) To fulfill the obligations of the Saudi Diabetes and Endocrine Association s Mission and Vision, the SDEA has conducted the following activities: Women Health Conference: The Education and Women Committees of the SDEA conducted a comprehensive program for 300 women in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, highlighting the importance of investing in nutrition, exercise and healthy lifestyle for women. The program included a nutrition exhibition displaying healthy and non-healthy food items, healthy shopping counter, healthy cooking counter, measurements of Body Mass Index, blood sugar and blood pressure. The program as well included short presentations conducted by specialized physicians on diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis. The attended women have participated in many interactive sessions with speakers and then enjoyed healthy and low fat dinner. The attendees were women leaders from various women s societies, Ministry of Education, Saudi Retired Society and others. The program was ended with many health recommendations for promoting women health in Saudi Arabia and investing in women health since childhood and during their life cycle. Nutrition Education Program for Students The Education Committee of SDEA in coordination with the Ministry of Education in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conducted a nutrition education and obesity management program for students. The program included presentations, interactive sessions, quizzes, food displays for healthy and unhealthy food items and exercise. The program was conducted for approximately 3, 000 students and will continue for the next year. The Education Committee has coordinated this program for parents, schools faculties in addition to students, and encourage healthy shopping, dining-out, portion control and monitoring of their Body Mass Index. An innovative project to establish a mobile and portable nutrition education exhibition for students has been completed where a visiting schedule for schools will be conducted in Many recommendations have been shared with the Ministry of Education in addition to the students and their families to invest more in lifestyle modification and encourage healthy behaviors. Education Program during Summer Holiday The SDEA has coordinated and conducted a nutrition and exercise program for families during summer holiday highlighting the importance of investing in the holiday for achieving healthy objectives. The program s theme for this year is focusing on the Importance of Vitamin D and encouraging all families members to consume well-balance meals that are rich in Vitamin D in addition to exposure to sunlight. The program duration is for one week and included many interactive activities for children such as quizzes, drawings, educational stories, plays, in addition to presentations and food exhibition for parents. Many recommendations were made to various parties and food industry to fortify some food items with Vitamin D. Establishment of a Mobile Blood Sugar Screening Unit The SDEA has approved and completed its unique project on establishing a mobile unit that is equipped with Diabetes Care Team to screen people for the risk of diabetes and identify those at risk or at pre-diabetes stage or with diabetes. Those will be referred to SDEA s Headquarter to lower their risk factors and prevent/manage diabetes in its early stages.

17 Celebrating the World Health Days The SDEA has celebrated many World Health Days, such as Kidney Day, Food Day, No Tobacco Day, etc, and published articles on these occasions, advising the community to take measures to adopt healthy lifestyle, exercise regularly, eat healthy well-balance meals and avoid active/passive smoking. The SDEA Education Committee encourages all people at risk of diabetes and/or heart diseases or smokers to contact it for consultation. The SDEA is working closely to promote Smoke Free Policies in all the health care facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and prevent smoking in public places, hotels, universities, companies, etc. LEBANESE DIABETES SOCIETY (LDS) The Third Regional IDF/MENA Diabetes Workshop Lebanon Took place in Beirut on May 2012 Under the patronage of His Excellency Minister of Health Mr. Ali Hassan Khalil Following a decision was made in the last IDF/MENA meeting held in Dubai (December 2011) to conduct the 3 rd regional IDF/MENA diabetes workshop in Lebanon in order to implement National Diabetes program in the country. The Regional IDF/MENA Diabetes Workshop was held under the patronage of the Lebanese Minister of Public health Mr. Ali Hassan Khalil in Collaboration with Regional WHO and was proudly hosted by the Lebanese Diabetes society and supported by many Pharmaceutical companies. Faculty: Prof. Morsi Arab - Ex Vice IDF President Prof Adel ElSayed Chair Elect-IDF/MENA Dr. Mohamed Sandid President of the LDS-IDF/MENA

18 Attendance : 150 participants ( 30 Nurses,35 Dietitians, 28 physicians and 13 Educators and 44 representatives from the media sector, NGOs, Universities,the municipalities, the parliament and other institutes) from all over Lebanon. Objective: put guidelines on implementation or promotion of National Diabetes programs The workshop s program: 1- Day 1: opening session: Plenary Lecture: Presented by Prof Adel Elsayed(Chair Elect IDF/MENA) The first day of the workshop begun in an enthusiastic manner at 10:00am and the opening session was held by the manager of the national diabetes program in Lebanon Dr Mohamad Sandid who welcomed the participants and presented the achievements of the program since it was founded and the role of the Lebanese diabetes society in supporting this program. The elected IDF president Dr Adel Al Sayed highlighted on the supporting role of the IDF international diabetes federation offered to the national diabetes programs. Following Dr Al Sayed s speech, Dr Alissar radi representing the WHO in Lebanon listed the importance of offering all the help needed to such national programs. The closing speech of the opening ceremony was presented by the representative of the minister of public health Dr Bahij Arbid in which he cited the efforts of the president of the national diabetes program during the last couple of years by creating a national diabetes plan with a national diabetes committee launched by the minister of public health H/E Mr.Ali Hassan Khalil last year in the occasion of the world diabetes day. Professor Morsi Arab Ex Vice IDF President, announced the beginning of the workshop and presented the overall steps that help in the implementation of the national diabetes program and the first comments were given by the deputy Mr Ghassan Mokhayber from the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee on the importance of ensuring proper paramedical, care and work rights for the patients hoping that the participants raise practical recommendations for the parliamentary committee to protect the rights of diabetic patients in Lebanon. Following this participation the journalist Mr kamil Mnassa and his colleague Mr Amer Mashmoushi recommended a wider workshop involving a bigger number of participants working in the media and specialized in the health field in order to transfer right information to the public and avoid misconceptions. The role of the civil society in the care of diabetic patients was discussed by Dr Kamel Mhanna and Mr Hassan Sayah which added a very important aspect to the discussion.

19 Day 2: A workshop was held on the second day attended by 140 participants from 18 different universities and health institutes. 12 endocrinologists conducted, supervised and participated in the discussions during this workshop and the second day was concluded by issuing important recommendations specially: Early Detection and screening Risk factors Diet Recommendations' Update Treatment Management Self monitoring Conclusion: The recommendations included the following points: A proposal for a Model National Diabetes Program for implementation by member in the MENA Region This is part of the regional plan to effectively implement the recommendations of the UN Resolution on Diabetes in the region. The importance of this workshop lies in the ability to open doors and allows further participation from various establishments concerned with the implementation of the NDP: MOH: there will be a follow up to implement the national diabetes strategy launched by the minister of public health WHO: a follow up on the proposal presented the representative of the WHO in Beirut in her speech for future cooperation with the NDP NGOs: through the attendance of highly qualified representatives there is a possibility to create a well trained diabetes team in those NGO's. the attendance of a big number of dieticians encouraged NGOs and some participants to consider building a solid plan addressing healthy lifestyle modifications in particular for schools

20 L E B A N E S E D I A B E T E S S O C I E T Y Universities: the participation of 6 universities in Lebanon allowed us to also study a plan to be applied later on in order to increase awareness in educational facilities. This step was encouraged by the universities management who offered to create a database in their establishments and offer all the help needed: Parliament: we must benefit from the participation of the parliamentary human rights committee who urged us to present a proposal defending diabetic rights in Lebanon and prepare for a workshop in the parliament with the parliamentary health committee to elaborate this idea. Media: the participation of many poles in the media sector highlighted on the great role in awareness and avoiding misconceptions through messages delivered by the media and also suggested participating in a wider workshop addressing health specialized media members. All mentioned suggestions above pushes the Lebanese diabetes society who organized this event and the NDP concerned in the implementation of the steps in the future to put a greater effort in following up the recommendations and all this will happen under the umbrella of IDF/MENA.

21 IRAQI DIABETES SOCIETY 1 On 11 Jan 2012 a symposium was held in Al Yarmouk teaching Hospital - Baghdad in collaboration with the Rheumatology society under the heading of DIABETES AND THE SKELETON that cover different aspects of rheumatological manifestations in diabetics like (osteoporosis,frozen shoulder,hand syndrome CTS,etc.) 2 A seminar was held in the Iraqi children culture House for the laymen about different aspects of diabetes, etiology, management complications on 2nd Feb A symposium will be held at Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital at 11 June 2012 in collaboration with Al Mustansiriya College of Medicine, Al Yarmouk teaching Hospital,sponsored by Sanofi Aventis which will cover some important aspects in diabetics (Gum disorder and oral hygiene,update in management of anemia in diabetics,latest guidelines of diabetes management, role of insulin Glargine, charcoute joint,etc.. Coming activities: On 11 th June 2012 there is a suggestion to arrange a meeting covering the role of angiotensin receptor blockers in protecting the cardiovascular system and the kidney in diabetics, and probably other topics like perioperative management of diabetic patients to be held during next July before Ramadan. KUWAIT DIABETES SOCIIETY The recent selected activities of Kuwait Diabetes Society; 2012: 1- Monthly scientific talk directed to health care providers with special interest of diabetes. * December, 2011: Depression + Diabetes = more than two * January, 2012: Pancreas Transplantation (From Myth to Reality) * March, 2012: Overview on Celiac Disease in Children * April, 2012: Insulin Pump Therapy * May, 2012: Importance of Post-prandial blood glucose control, the role of insulin devices * June, 2012: Ramadan; To Fast or Not to Fast? 2- Launching of the social internet communication of " Young Leader region.

22 KUWAIT DIABETES SOCIIETY 3- Amiri Hospital Awareness Campaign" in cooperation with KDS in a very old traditional & historical Suoq "Al Mubarekyia", we managed to screen around 3000 people. 4- Visit of Sir Michael, the president elect of IDF to Kuwait & KDS. 5- "Geriatric World day" in Dhahiya clinic in corporation with KDS, April "Youth Sport Day" under the organization of Kuwait youth & sport authority in cooperation with KDS, May "Obesity Awareness Day in Al Saqer Health Centre" in corporation with KDS, 12th-13th June Children Camp in Jordan, June 2012.

23 K U W A I T D I A B E T E S S O C I E T Y ( K D S ) \

24 MENA Region International Conference 2012 Invitation I have the pleasure to inform you that, Qatar Diabetes Association to host, as a local organizer, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region 2012 Conference, in collaboration with International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Qatar Foundation (QF), on 14th 16th December Several leading authorities, lecture in diabetes management will attend the conference from Middle East and International, who will give lectures and workshops. Also attending participants and prominent delegates from different diabetes associations are invited from Asia and Gulf region. We believe that this conference will provide a great opportunity for the whole community for learning and increase to awareness about the Diabetes. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS We announce with pleasure the coming IDF/MENA Regional Conference, which will be held in Doha, State of Qatar in collaboration with Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA), International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Qatar Foundation (QF) at Qatar National Convention Center, scheduled for December 14-16, The Conference will be a unique opportunity for health care providers from the Middle East to meet together with the world-renowned diabetes experts. The program will focus on cutting-edge research and evidencebased strategies to prevent diabetes and improve patient outcomes. Diabetes continues to be a global epidemic, especially in the Middle East. We invite you to join this event and encourage your candidates to submit their abstracts as soon, for submission of papers for oral/poster presentations on any field of diabetes and related conditions. Please submit your paper addressed to Prof. Adel A El-Sayed (Chairman of Scientific Committee) el_sayedadel@hotmail.com

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26 IDF/MENA REGION - - NEWSLETTER As the holy occasion of RAMADAN is here and the atmosphere is filled with the spirit of mirth and love, Here is hoping this festival of beauty brings your way, bright sparkles of contentment, That stays with you through the days ahead. RAMADAN KAREEM! Dr. Abdulla Al Hamaq Regional Manager IDF/MENA Region Contact MENA Regional Office Post Box No. 752 Doha Qatar Tel: / Fax: qda-idf@qf.org.qa / aalhamaq@qf.org.qa