13K schoolkids learn how to manage diabetes

2,361

Free blood sugar, body mass and obesity tests done for the kids

sharjah — Over 13,000 schoolchildren have been educated on how to manage diabetes in Sharjah, as part of a three-month campaign.

Called ‘Super Hero’ programme, the campaign has reached a total of 13,749 Grade 2 and 3 students from 15 public and private schools, as well as six children’s centres in the emirate, said Khawla Al Haj, president of the Association of Friends of Diabetes.

The association organised the campaign, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Sharjah Education Council.

At the initiative’s closing ceremony on Monday, Al Haj said: “The campaign (which ran from January 16 to April 15) taught them about diabetes and its prevention methods and encouraged them to follow healthy lifestyles.”

Besides teaching the kids how to prevent the disease, it offered a guide on how diabetic students can live a normal, playful life just like any other child.

“We were able to conduct 2,361 free blood sugar, body mass and obesity tests for the participating schoolchildren. And some 8,466 educational publications on the disease were distributed to more than 13,000 students in different schools in the emirate,” Al Haj said.

This year’s programme also included 33 health exhibitions in the cities of Sharjah, Madam and Khorfakkan, as part of the association’s efforts to encourage residents of all ages to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

The closing ceremony was attended by Hessa Al Khaja, director of Sharjah Educational Zone; Dr Ilham Al Amiri, vice-president of the Friends of Diabetes Society; Khawla Al Noman, chairman of Breastfeeding Friends Association; and Dr Osama Al Lala, physical stress consultant, Ministry of Education.