JEDDAH, 5 November — The number of diabetics in the Kingdom is growing alarmingly, with four million people — or 25 percent of the population — already suffering from the debilitating disease. Of these, 600,000 have developed complications of the feet.
The statistics were revealed at a symposium held as part of a Diabetes Challenges Forum at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce on Sunday.
Organized by a private firm, the forum conducted more than 3000 free diabetes tests, feet checkups, dilation of the eye and blood cholesterol tests. Several medical companies demonstrated equipment and devices for diabetic patients and distributed leaflets to providing guidance to diabetics and their families.
Impressed by the large number of participants, Dr. Khaled Edrees, the forum supervisor told Arab News: “ The number of people who showed up exceeded our expectations and this proves that more and more people are aware of the risks of diabetes and patients are trying hard to control the disease with the help of the heath sector”.
He said 70% of the participants were diabetic patients and the rest were members of the patients’ families who are very concerned about how to prevent the onset of the disease”.
Asked about the forum’s role in preventing the disease from spreading further among Saudis, he said: “We offer educational programs at schools and Ministry of Health premises. Such awareness campaigns help to control this disease in the Kingdom”.
Dr. Edrees said that the Ministry of Health will soon form a diabetes council to deal with the growing number of diabetics in Saudi Arabia.
