Under the auspices of His Excellency the Minister of Health, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Rabeeah, His Excellency the Vice Minister for Health Affairs, Dr. Mansour bin Nasser al-Howasi, in the presence of a number of the MOH senior officials, launched this morning the activities of the Diabetes Awareness Day. It is organized by the Ministry of Health, corresponding to the World Diabetes Day, held this year under the theme: “Diabetes: Protect our Future”. These activities coincide with the events organized by malls and health centers all over the Kingdom's regions.
Dr. al-Howasi wandered through the Exhibition, made up of seven pavilions, one for measuring biomarkers, another for medical consultations, a third pavilion for dietary consultations, in addition to a pavilion for health awareness, a pavilion for first aid, a pavilion for pharmaceutical consultations and a pavilion for media and health awareness information. In each of these pavilions, Dr. al-Howasi listened to an elaborate explanation by those in charge of them, and had a closer look at the way of educating beneficiaries and raising their awareness. Meanwhile, he expressed his pleasure at the enthusiasm he has witnessed, and extended his thanks to all who took part in the preparation and organization of this awareness day, wishing good luck to everybody.
Al-Howasi was quoted as saying, “The participation of MOH in this important event comes in line with the directives given by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highness the Second Deputy Prime Minister, towards maintaining the health and well-being of citizens, and providing them with integrated health services. That is why the Ministry, by means of its national project for comprehensive and integrated health care, has paid close attention to raising health awareness among Saudis on chronic diseases, including diabetes and its risk factors. That is to be added to enhancing the early detection programs, and applying the integrated health care by way of the optimal use of resources aiming at reducing the morbidity, disability and mortality caused by these diseases and their complications. Over the recent few years, the Ministry has operated 20 medical centers specialized in diabetes treatment. These centers have brought about a quantum leap in the therapeutic services provided for diabetics; not to mention the preventive and awareness-related activities meant to diminish the incidence of such diseases among our citizens.”
Within the same vein, His Excellency the Vice Minister for Planning and Development, as well as the Deputy Minister for Public Health and the Deputy Minister for Therapeutic Services have paid a visit to the Exhibition, where they participated in the activities of the Diabetes Awareness Day, and took a look at all the awareness activities and competitions involved.
For his part, the Advisor to the Minister, and Supervisor-General of Relations, Media and Health Awareness, made clear that underway is the implementation of Phase 2 of the health-awareness campaign: “Diabetes: Be vigilant to it!”, which aims at raising people's awareness of the nature of diabetes, and the ways to treat it, as well as reducing the risk factors leading to the incidence of the disease, such as unhealthy dietary habits, and lack of physical activity.