The Proceedings of the Press Conference on the World Diabetes Day at the BA
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Alexandria—
The BA held on Wednesday, 14 November 2007, a press conference on the World Diabetes Day (14 November), attended by Dr. Ibrahim El-Kerdany, Regional Adviser, Information and Spokesman for the Regional Director of
World Health Organization, Dr. Morsi Arab, President of the Egyptian Diabetes Association, Dr. Salama Abdel Moneim, Undersecretary of the Egyptian Ministry of Health, Laila Ali Al Sioufi, President of Assistance to Young Diabetics (AYD), and Dr. Anwar Batiha, Representing Dr. Hussein Al-Gazairy, Director of the WHO Regional Office For the Eastern Mediterranean.
Dr. Morsi Arab stated that the World Diabetes Day means that all the organizations concerned with Diabetes should join efforts to fight the disease. He added that Diabetes is no longer a health problem, it is an economic, social, and political issue facing the entire international community.
Dr. Salama Abdel Moneim emphasized that the Ministry of Health is drafting a national plan to care for diabetics, which started by a survey for those suffering from the disease through health centers and institutions all over the country. The plan included issuing an ID card with the name, address, and diagnosis of the person suffering from diabetes. The Ministry also set two plans—preventive and treatment, since recent statistics show that one person out of 12 is suffering from diabetes.
Dr. Anwar Batiha referred to the inaccuracy of the statistics on diabetics, and that the statistics conducted in Egypt does not include all Egyptian governorates. He explained that in Gulf countries diabetics reached 25% of the total population and called for conducting a more precise surveys in the future.
Laila Al Sioufi stated that the basic role of the AYD is to raise the awareness on the methods of treating diabetes by special nutrition and physical training.
Dr. Ibrahim El-Kerdany stated that Egypt is one of the ten countries, which the percentage of diabetes among young adults reached 8%, a matter that requires consolidated efforts among civil societies and nationals to combat the disease.
It is worth mentioning that more than 195 countries celebrated the World Diabetes Day to raise the awareness among diabetics, and decision makers in health care and media fields.
A public celebration of WDD was also held at the BA, attended by physicians, people suffering from diabetes, families, children and volunteers to increase the awareness among the public on the real health, social, and economic dimensions of diabetes. The BA was lit in blue and projected the symbol of "Unite for Diabetes", along with other participating landmarks in the world, such as Empire State Building, New York, United States.