KUWAIT, Oct 19 (KUNA) -- The diabetes prevalence rate among Kuwaiti nationals has topped 16.7 percent, a senior medical official said Tuesday.
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health attaches great importance to combat against diabetes and other chronic diseases, the Ministry's Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Dr. Youssof Al-Nisf told reporters here.
Al-Nisf, also chairman of the National Program against Diabetes, made the remarks on the occasion of the World Diabetes Day (WDD) which is marked globally on November 14.
"The results of recent studies, conducted by the Ministry in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO), show equivocally that diabetes prevalence rate is alarming, which requires an enhanced awareness campaign," he said.
The campaign highlights the prevention work which is the key to early detection and easier treatment in order to avoid serious complications. "The disease poses a grave health hazard and costs patients a lot," Al-Nisf noted.
As part of the activities marking the WDD the Ministry will hold a health exposition under auspices of Minister Dr. Hilal Al-Sayer.
The three-day expo, to open on Sunday, envisages offering comprehensive healthcare to diabetics and awareness programs at all clinics nationwide, he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Rapporteur of National Program against Diabetes Dr. Munira Al-Arouj said the campaign against the disease for 2010-2013 addresses all stakeholders - the patients and physicians.
It aims to raise awareness about the best practices in preventing and treating the disease, she added.
The WDD was introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the WHO in response to the alarming rise in diabetes around the world. In 2007, the United Nations marked the Day for the first time with the passage of the United Nations World Diabetes Day Resolution in December 2006, which made the WDD an official UN day. - Kuna