IDCC marks World Diabetes Day with children in Jeddah
The International Diabetes Care Center (IDCC) in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, recently organized an open day to increase awareness about diabetes among children.
The event, held under the slogan “Thanks My Family,” saw children express gratitude to their families.
The event is part of the awareness drive undertaken by the center to mark World Diabetes Day, which was observed on Nov. 14.
The activity took place in Boulevard, Jeddah, and included blood sugar tests, recreational activities such as painting and sports, and awareness campaigns about the identification of diabetes symptoms, diagnosis and prevention methods.
A children’s corner saw the little ones tell “Filfil Sukkar” stories while another corner encouraged them to show their artistic talents with the help of professional painter Ula Hijazi.
Mohamed Saidi, director general of Boulevard, said: “We believe that every individual has a role to play in society, for his/her family and enterprise. To realize this principle, we are proud to host this activity in cooperation with the International Diabetes Care Center. This event is in addition to the activities and events that Boulevard organizes, which are in line with our social responsibility policy.”
Wid Al-Harthy, founder of IDCC, highlighted the center’s keenness to observe the day on a yearly basis. “The objective is to raise awareness among diabetic children and their families through the programs set for the day,” she added.
Al-Harthy said the event is in line with the growing international interest in diabetes prevalence among adults in general, and children in particular. It also comes within the framework of the Saudi Ministry of Health’s awareness campaigns, she said.
In 2013, it was estimated that almost 382 million people suffer from diabetes and Saudi Arabia was among the top 10 countries of the world with the highest prevalence.