Bahrain Diabetes Society held a virtual marathon under the patronage of Supreme Council for Health (SCH) President Lieutenant-General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.
The Ministry of Health, Bapco and other societies, civil society institutions and individuals also took part in the sporting event held online for the first time in the Kingdom.
Dr Shaikh Mohammed, also Bahrain Diabetes Society Chairman, said that the Kingdom joined the other countries and health organisations to mark the World Diabetes Day celebrated this year under the theme “The Nurse and Diabetes”.
He stressed Bahrain’s keenness on marking the special day and on enhancing people’s awareness to help them avoid the disease and protect diabetic patients from dangerous complications.
He stressed the importance of the 2020 theme that recognizes the active role of nurses in caring for diabetic patients and supporting them.
Health Minister Faeqa bint Said Al-Saleh said that the world is witnessing a steady increase in the incidence of noncommunicable chronic diseases, including diabetes, noting that in Bahrain, the National Health Survey indicated that about 15% of those surveyed have diabetes.
She stressed the ministry’s keenness to provide the best, safest and most effective health care for patients with diabetes, through specialized diabetes clinics in health centers and endocrine clinics in secondary care.
She underlined programnmes for early detection of diabetes complications and the availability of specialists to treat complications from various specialties such as cardiovascular, kidney and ophthalmic and nerve systems.
The minister expressed thanks to Bahrain Diabetes Society for organizing the virtual walk.