Friday, March 29, 2024 | Ramadan 18, 1445 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Web application launched for diabetics during Ramadhan

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The Diabetes and Ramadhan (DAR) International Alliance and the International Diabetes Federation are spearheading interventional approaches for diabetes management, with support of an unrestricted educational grant from Sanofi, a global healthcare leader.


The new application allows individuals to choose their Ramadhan food menu with a calorie count, customised to the cuisine of their choice.


The link to the Nutrition Plan app is at http://www.daralliance.org/daralliance/map/


The Ramadhan Education and Awareness in Diabetes (READ) study demonstrated a significant decrease in the number of hypoglycemic (low sugar levels) events in a group of patients with Type 2 Diabetes who received diabetes education (from 9 events pre-Ramadhan to just 5 during Ramadhan) compared to an increase (from 9 to 36 events) in a control group that did not receive the educational advice.


Dr Noor al Busaidy
Dr Noor al Busaidy

Dr Noor Al Busaidy, Head of Oman Diabetes Association and Head of National Diabetes and Endocrine Centre, says: “Structured diabetes education is all about giving patients the knowledge to make informed decisions regarding their behaviour and enabling them to effectively self-manage their condition. Several barriers to guideline implementation originate within the individual (the patient or HCP) or within the wider cultures of the community or healthcare system. Key solutions to overcoming such barriers include raising awareness on issues surrounding diabetes, giving proper direction on religious tenets, and providing effective, socio-culturally sensitive patient education. Following a highly individualised management plan and close follow-up is an essential approach to avoid development of health complications among patients.”


Dr Mohamed Hassanein, Chairman of Diabetes and Ramadhan International Alliance, Consultant in Endocrinology says: “Last year, we released the ‘Guidelines on Diabetes Management during Ramadhan’, to provide a universal direction for all those involved in working with patients. This year, the review of our work was published in Elsevier’s ‘Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice’ medical journal; a first of its kind article that provides evidence based strategies to enhance the management of Diabetes during Ramadhan. Our long term goal is to bring about a progressive behaviour change among fasting patients and communities.”


Dr Mohamed further adds that people need to understand that they are not obligated to fast, if they are high risk patients. If they wish to fast, it is their responsibility to identify their own level of risk, and try to address all possible measures to minimise the risk in consultation with their physician. This includes — the choice of treatment, the timing of treatment, the dose during Ramadhan, when to monitor blood glucose levels, frequency of monitoring, and most importantly, to accept the possibility of breaking the fast, as soon as the person notices that his or her glucose level is too low or too high, even if they do not feel the symptoms,” added


Continuing efforts to advance diabetes management strategies during Ramadhan in the region, the Diabetes and Ramadhan International Alliance in partnership with International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the Gulf Group for the Study of Diabetes, convened for the 5th DAR International Alliance congress.


A cornerstone of Ramadhan diabetes management is patient education, and experts emphasised the crucial role of pre-Ramadhan counselling by HCPs to reduce health risks associated with fasting, backed by clinical evidence and research presented from various countries.


Jean-Paul Scheuer, Country Chair, General Manager, Sanofi Gulf, hopes to sustain efforts to support the Alliance in partnership with IDF and Emirates Diabetes Society, towards ensuring that we collaboratively identify and address challenges associated with management of diabetes. “We recognise the need for continued scientific research in this area to build up practical experiences that will in turn lead to significant positive health outcomes for people globally.”


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