Workshop addresses challenges of diabetes management in Ramadan

JEDDAH — A workshop on "new guidelines on diabetes management during Ramadan" was organized here. Approximately 35.4 million people, or 9.1 percent of adults aged 20-79, are living with diabetes in the Middle East and North Africa Region, according to statistics made available by the International Diabetes Federation. The guidelines were developed with the support of an unrestricted educational grant from Sanofi Saudi Arabia to raise awareness on the need for minimizing health risks through increased education and guidance. The workshop addressed key challenges associated with diabetes management during the holy month. “Fasting is not meant to create excessive hardship on individuals who are suffering from diabetes. Many people with diabetes are keen to fast in Ramadan. Awareness on diabetes management during Ramadan and structured diabetes education is an essential prerequisite to fast safely during the month. Medical professionals, religious leaders and healthcare providers need to work in harmony to ensure a safe and healthy holy month for all. And it is important for medical professionals to work very closely with their patients and educate them on the potential risks associated with fasting during Ramadan and give the necessary adjustments needed to reduce these risks. The key is to empower patients and enable them to take informed decisions based on expert recommendations and individual circumstances,” Professor Abdulraof Almahfouz, consultant endocrinologist at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center. “In KSA, we are endorsing the new guidelines to ensure maximum uptake among the healthcare community and people living with the condition. Throughout these guidelines, we aim to ensure that people with diabetes are aided with the best tools to manage their health throughout the holy month. We have classified the condition of patients under three main categories, namely, Red, Amber or Green, based on the type of diabetes and its severity. If the patient’s condition is classified as red or amber, then it represents a higher level of complications if he or she decides to fast. However, if the patient’s case is green, then he or she needs to evaluate the medical advice versus the physical ability and experience of fasting,” said Dr. Khaled Abdullah Tayeb, consultant diabetologist and director of Diabetes Center at Al-Noor Hospital. “At Sanofi, we are committed to supporting valuable initiatives aimed at improving the lives of people with diabetes, by helping them live well with the condition. These workshops will introduce new and effective measures to ensure a safe and healthy Ramadan. Our endeavor is to help propagate the guidelines locally to achieve positive outcomes in the holy month," said Dr. Ahmed Serag, general manager of Sanofi KSA.