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Kuwait health minister cautions against diabetes complications |
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News -
Health
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Saturday, 14 November 2009 23:32 |
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Diabetes is a chronic disease that causes serious complications against vital body organs, including heart, liver and veins
, Kuwait's Health Minister Hilal Al-Sayer warned here Saturday.
Speaking to reporters on the occasion of the national walking marathon festival to mark the World Diabetes Day, he said Kuwait is on the international list of 10 countries where the number of diabetics is the highest all over the world.
As many as 3,000 people joined the walking marathon, with the participation of the health minister and Minister of Oil and Information Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah.
For his part, the minister of oil and information stressed the significance of the festival as a warning message to the Kuwaiti society against the chronic disease.
He vowed that the Kuwaiti mass media would reactivate their role in raising public awareness of diabetes.
"The mass media have national responsibility to bear for disseminating public awareness messages," he said.
Diabetes infection rate in Kuwait is estimated at over 15 percent for adults, while there are now 22 cases for every 100,000 children under 14.
World Diabetes Day raises global awareness of diabetes - its escalating rates around the world and how to prevent the illness in most cases. Started by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and WHO, the Day is celebrated on November 14.
WHO estimates that more than 220 million people worldwide have diabetes. This number is likely to more than double by 2030. Almost 80 percent of diabetes deaths occur in low and middle-income countries.
Kuna
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