QDA, Lilly Launch Tool to Help Patients Better Manage Diabetes during Ramadan

Doha, July 17 (QNA) - Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) and pharmaceutical company Lilly have joined hands to educate diabetes patients with a new, interactive education tool. The 'Managing Diabetes During Ramadan' Conversation Map aims to help patients achieve a safer Ramadan experience by encouraging conversation about the disease, its risks, the importance of creating a diabetes and Ramadan management plan, and what to do should complications arise. As part of QDA's annual program to educate the public and especially diabetic patients about the disease and how to better manage it during the holy month of Ramadan, the association developed and is currently implementing a full plan to cover the different aspects of diabetes. Lilly has partnered with QDA to include the Diabetes Conversation Map tool in the planned education sessions. "It is part of QDA's DNA to help people with diabetes and those who are at risk of developing the disease by providing them with innovative patient care solutions, diabetes education and related services with the hope of improving their overall quality of life. Our diabetes management plan is complemented by the new 'Managing Diabetes During Ramadan Conversation Map' supported by Lilly. Through this map, both patients and healthcare providers will have the relevant tool to help achieve a better diabetes control," said QDA Executive Director Dr. Abdullah Al Hamaq. Newly-introduced in Qatar, the 'Managing Diabetes During Ramadan' Conversation Map is part of the Diabetes Conversation Map Education Program launched by Lilly in the Gulf since 2009 and that has been used to educate more than 3,700 diabetes patients on diabetes and its management. According to IDF Atlas 2012, four Gulf countries - Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain, rank among the top ten countries globally for prevalence of diabetes among adults aged 20-79 years. Alarmingly, up to half of the people with diabetes are unaware that they have the disease. Lilly Near East and Gulf General Manager Huzur Devletsah, said, "Beyond providing innovative medicines, Lilly supports comprehensive diabetes education. Here in the Gulf, our partnerships have enabled us to collaborate with all persons involved in the management and treatment of diabetes to support the patients and help them overcome the challenges they face. Together with our local partners we work on empowering the community with locally relevant tools, such as the new 'Managing Diabetes during Ramadan' education tool." Created by Healthy Interactions, a global leader in health education, in collaboration with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and with the support of Lilly Diabetes, the unique Diabetes Conversation Map education tools have been introduced in more than 120 countries, and are now available in 35 languages on seven different diabetes-related topics. QDA, a leading authority on diabetes education and awareness both locally and regionally and a member of Qatar Foundation, was established as a charitable, non-profit organization in 1995. It has developed programs and services to assist people affected by diabetes and their families, as well as those who are at risk of developing it. Sharing the latest diabetes information, as well as organizing annual awareness programs and healthy lifestyles initiatives are part of the activities that QDA carries out in conjunction with other key healthcare organizations. QDA also serves as an umbrella for the IDF's permanent office of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It has been an active member of the Federation since 1997. (QNA)