RIYADH, 14 November 2006 — The treatment of diabetes patients, an illness which is rapidly spreading among Saudi children due to unhealthy lifestyles, annually costs the Saudi government SR4 billion, said the Saudi Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Al-Manie while speaking on the occasion of the World Diabetes Day today.
Quoting the latest study from King Khaled University Hospital, Al-Manie said that the number of diabetic patients in the Kingdom over the age of 30 had soared by 24 percent. He added that this year’s theme of the day is: “Let Us Be United Against Diabetes.”
According to the minister, studies conducted on the health of Saudi families have indicated that 19 percent of Saudi men and 25 percent of Saudi women are suffering from various debilitating and chronic diseases. The study further shows that the problem could be compounded in future by the likelihood of life expectancy increasing.
Al-Manie said chronic diseases such as diabetes and blood pressure, obesity and psychosomatic illnesses are having an adverse impact on the health of Saudis, besides affecting them economically and socially.
The minister said Saudi health authorities have set up 20 new health projects all over the Kingdom for the treatment of diabetes. He also released health awareness pamphlets and guidelines which enable health teams to diagnose and treat an illness expeditiously.
Referring to the growing incidence of diabetes among Saudi children, Dr. Al-Manie said it was due to hereditary factors, besides unhealthy lifestyles, overeating and lack of awareness among families.
He advised parents whose children are suffering from the disease to take precautionary measures, including organizing their lifestyle as part of a holistic approach to control the disease.
