RIYADH – This holy month of Ramadan, MSD Saudi Arabia is running a two-month campaign designed to educate healthcare providers (HCP) about the safest ways for type 2 diabetics to manage their condition while fasting. The campaign concentrates on providing a series of lectures to healthcare professionals across the Kingdom on ways in which professionals can best manage and support patients who choose to fast. The lectures are presented by renowned physicians and professors in the Kingdom. For many diabetics, Ramadan can be an extremely difficult month, with patients who fast often struggling to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Despite the potential risks that fasting could pose to type 2 diabetics, 79 percent of Muslims around the world continue to fast during Ramadan, highlighting the need for greater support of this segment of the population to ensure they remain healthy and do not face complications as a result of fasting. Talking about the importance of managing type two diabetes during Ramadan, Dr. Wail Al-Qasim, Managing Director, MSD Saudi Arabia, said “at MSD we are committed to ensuring that patients have access to the best possible quality of life possible and this is why it is so important to us that we continue to support healthcare professionals with the education they need to best manage diabetics that choose to fast. In 2012 around 20993 patients died to diabetes related complications. Through our seminars we hope to provide HCP's with a better understanding of how to manage the cases of fasting diabetics; ensuring that the risk of complications is significantly reduced and lives are saved.” Dr. Saleh Aljaser, endocrinologist at King Abdullah Medical City, said “every Muslim must be aware of the potential health risks that may arise while they're fasting. This is especially true for type two diabetics, problems such as hypoglycemia, dehydration and thrombosis may occur. Therefore, solid management of their diabetes must be undertaken and patients should make sure to consult with their physician so that they can make an informed decision, before they decide whether they will be able to fast or not.” Professor Mourad El Mourad, senior adviser to the Diabetes National Program for the Ministry of Health, said “the campaign is designed to support patients who choose to fast and help them to do this safely. We also hope that the campaign will help in providing greater public awareness of the dangers of diabetes.” – SG
