Diabetes rings alarm bells

Health surveys in the Sultanate show that the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Oman is increasing and the number of patients will continue to rise. To take on this challenge, Oman will be organising a series of events to mark the World Diabetes Day which falls on November 14.
Dr Noor Al Busaidiya, chairperson of Oman Diabetes Association (ODA), informed that the Sultanate will join other countries of the world in observing this day by holding a series of programmes at Al Sahwa Park in Seeb under the auspices of Khalil bin Abdullah Al Khonji, OCCI chairman.

The ceremony will include checking blood sugar and blood pressure, in addition to setting up a free diabetic foot clinic and examining the retina in patients with diabetes, providing educational lectures about diabetes and organising a charity market, besides, other activities for kids, Al Busaidiya said in a press conference recently.

The number of patients suffering from diabetes is increasing in Oman and worldwide, stressed Al Busaidiya.

"Diabetes should not only be a challenge being faced by the Ministry of Health; all ministries, companies and banks should work together to raise funds for more research related to diabetes disease," she said.

In 2009, around 5,318 new diabetes cases were registered to add to the existing 61,542 cases. "This number could be less than the real number," experts say. "There is a joint plan for cooperating with Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Sultan Qaboos University and the media to stop the spread of this disease," Al Busaidiya added.

Dr Hilal Al Muslahi noted that the Oman Diabetes Association is studying the idea of opening a free consultation clinic for public. "There is an expectation that this disease will increase. We are now planning to open a free clinic for people to come for medical advice," Al Muslahi said.

Marking this day intensifies efforts exerted to overcome diabetes and its complications.

National survey
The National Diabetes Survey conducted in 1991 showed the prevalence of diabetes to be 8.3 per cent and in 2000, the figure increased to 11.6 per cent. More recent unpublished data is projecting that in the last decade, diabetes affecting adults is still on the rise. One of the major challenges with diabetes as with many other chronic diseases is that the diagnosis of the problem is delayed.

One of the Ministry of Health's pioneer initiatives to overcome the problem was the introduction of the screening programme in 2007. The national non-communicable diseases screening programme now screens Omanis for five medical problems, which include diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, obesity and high blood cholesterol.

Prevention of diabetes requires efforts from the entire society. The promotion of healthy, balanced diet and physical activity are the main pillars for any prevention strategy. The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the public and private sector, formulated a national strategy for diet, physical activity and health.

This strategy is in line with World Health Organisation's recommendation. ODA is keen to raise awareness to provide patients with the best scientific methods to help them avoid serious complications, and to create a healthy nation.