Doha: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has announced the implementation of KiDS Diabetes Awareness program in several schools in Qatar, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and Sanofi Pharmaceutical. This came during an event held at Maryam Bint Omran Primary School for Girls, in the presence of representatives from the ministries and Sanofi.
The main objective of KiDS program is to raise awareness in schools about the prevention of type I diabetes and how to manage it, with a focus on the risk factors associated with type II diabetes. It is estimated that 10 percent of patients with diabetes in MENA region currently have type 1 diabetes, the most prevalent disease among children.
The program seeks to educate students, teachers and parents about diabetes and its risk factors. This program is also in line with the theme of the World Diabetes Day "Education to Protect Tomorrow", where diabetics need to receive continuous education to properly manage the disease.
Director of Public Health Department at the MoPH Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani said: "Schools are an important setting for innovative diabetes prevention and management for children. They can advocate for and support children with diabetes by understanding their monitoring and treatment needs, assisting with appropriate food choices, promoting physical activity, among other considerations. KiDS Diabetes Awareness Program in schools will involve teachers, school staff, students, family members, and healthcare providers and invite them to work together in collaboration with MoPH and key partners. We would like to highlight the importance of conducting thorough evaluations to adjust and improve this program which will improve school policies on diabetes in line with the objectives of Qatar Diabetes Strategy, Public Health Strategy, and National Health Strategy, and it contributes to achieving the goal of (healthy population, physically and psychologically) in Qatar National vision 2030".
Director of the Health and Safety Department at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Mohammed Al Maraghi said: "We are pleased to partner with the Ministry of Public Health and Sanofi in implementing the KiDS program in number of schools, which will contribute to providing a supportive environment for children with diabetes, Provide guidance on diabetes management and help students in schools understand the risk factors, symptoms and complications associated with diabetes through the use of a number of educational strategies and learning resources."
