JEDDAH — More than 5,000 people, including Saudis and expatriates, turned out to take part in the Jeddah Night Run held along the Jeddah Water Front as part of the mission of Abeer Medical Group to educate the public about preventing and containing the surging diabetes. Several prominent figures took part in the event, which was held on Nov.14, to mark the World Diabetes Day. There was an unprecedented response from women for the event, the first of its kind in the Kingdom, organized in cooperation with Jeddah's Masafat Club and with support of the General Sport Authority. Mohammad Alungal, president of Abeer Group, flagged off the event in which people from all walks of life and belonging to different age groups participated. The guest of honor for the event was Lina Almaeena, member of the Shoura Council and founder of Jeddah United, Saudi Arabia's first private female basketball club. Other prominent figures included Abeer Medical Group Vice Presidents — Dr. Jemshith Ahmed (Strategic Planning), Dr. Afsar Ethesham (Operations), Dr. Amal Elthobgy and the group's Director Saeed Al Sulami. Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Alungal congratulated people of Jeddah, especially young Saudis and children for their keen interest in the event in their fight against diabetes amid an alarming increase in the number of people affected with this chronic disease. "Residents of Jeddah wholeheartedly turned out to this awareness campaign with such a massive reception and an engaging concept," he added. According to the World Health Organization report, Saudi Arabia ranks second highest in the Middle East and is seventh in the world for the rate of diabetes. It is estimated that around seven million of the population are diabetic and almost around three million have pre-diabetes. The event kicked off with a carnival at the Jeddah Corniche from 5 pm onwards. Interested participants had to sign up for the run on-site at registration booths. The event marked different categories like 3km run (male/female), 3km skating, 1 km family run and 1km kids run. The findings of a survey conducted by Abeer Medical Group among school students as part of diabetes awareness was also made public at the event. The winners of the run received mementos while the other first 500 who completed the race were awarded medals. Abeer Group, a leading healthcare service provider in the Gulf, at present owns and manages 20 healthcare facilities that includes hospitals and high end medical centers and is becoming one of the most successful healthcare providers in the Gulf.
