His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, president of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), took part in the annual diabetes awareness walkathon, along with thousands of participants, at Education City's Oxygen Park.

The event was organized by the Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) to mark World Diabetes Day (WDD), recognized on November 14 around the world.

As many as 8,000 participants came together for the diabetes awareness walkathon, which featured a range of activities and programs aimed at raising diabetes awareness and prevention.

365 نشاطاً رياضياً للتوعية بمخاطر مرض السكري ضمن #مسيرة_السكري_السنوية التي أقيمت في حديقة الأكسجين بالمدينة التعليمية ..
وقديما قيل : درهم وقاية خير من قنطار علاج ..#اليوم_العالمي_للسكري pic.twitter.com/BK4cAKgZq3

— جوعان بن حمد (@JoaanBinHamad) November 15, 2019

Themed 'Protect your Family,' the event highlighted the importance of reducing the risk of diabetes within homes. 

QOC secretary-general Jassim bin Rashid Al Buainain, QDA executive director Dr Abdullah Al Hamaq and the National Diabetes Strategy co-chair Prof Abdul Badi Abou Samra also participated in the walkathon.

The walkathon gathered community members of all ages, supporting Qatar's efforts to combat one of the most prominent health challenges locally.

? ?
( كافح السكري انضم إلى المسيرة )،،
شعار مسيرة اليوم المقامة بحديقة الأكسجين في #المدينة_التعليمية، بمشاركة سعادة الشيخ جوعان بن حمد آل ثاني، رئيس اللجنة الأولمبية، وحضور جماهيري كبير.#اليوم_العالمي_للسكري #مسيرة_السكري_السنوية #قطر #WorldDiabetesDay @QatarDiabetes @QF pic.twitter.com/YyV2Ed1yh1

— خالد جاسم (@khalidjassem74) November 15, 2019

The prevalence rate of diabetes in Qatar is 17 percent in adults, which calls for increased awareness and effective steps to fight the condition.

The event also aimed at raising awareness of diabetes and promoting the importance of regular exercise to help prevent type 2 diabetes and manage all types of diabetes.

Several educational booths were set up at the event that offered visitors tips on healthy living to defeat diabetes.

Health care experts also advised the community members on ways to prevent diabetes complications. 

Diabetes counselors at the event conducted free-of-cost consultations and shared educational materials with visitors.

Today, we’re walking for a cause at @QatarDiabetes Association’s annual walkathon! The event focuses on promoting the family’s role in dealing with #diabetes - education, care, and prevention. #WorldDiabetesDay
(Side note: the weather is great!) pic.twitter.com/kP8GgYCgaf

— Qatar Foundation (@QF) November 15, 2019

WDD is the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign reaching a global audience of over 1 billion people in more than 160 countries. 

The International Diabetes Federation celebrates the day every year with the participation of more than 200 societies across the world, including QDA.

Under its efforts to fight diabetes, Qatar has also initiated an awareness campaign to educate the community about diabetes and its risk factors.

The four-phase campaign highlights the need for early detection of diabetes and the importance of avoiding diabetes through healthy lifestyles, including nutrition, physical activity, and awareness.

The campaign included conducting a questionnaire to assess the level of awareness of those living with diabetes patients, patients, health care providers, and media, empowering patients to manage their health, conducting workshops for type 2 diabetes for self-education and training, and launching the diabetes website.

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Cover Image Credit: QNA

Source: Gulf Times