RIYADH: The number of diabetes cases has increased by 25 percent in the Kingdom because of sedentary lifestyle. In 2015, the number of cases in Saudi Arabia touched 3.4 million. This was revealed by Dr. Tawfiq Khoja, director general of GCC Health Ministers Executive Board.
Speaking at a recent conference, he said the problem of diabetes is not tackled by the Ministry of Health alone.
“Even the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Saudi Standards, Quality and Metrology Organization, health centers, among others, have a role in combating this disease,” he said.
He stressed the need for people to cut down on their sugar intake, if they don’t avoid it altogether since rice and other food items already contain sugars.
He said sports should be encouraged in school, adding that this is one way of investing in the youth.
“There should be sports activities for girls in accordance with Islamic law to help them avoid becoming diabetic,” he emphasized.
He referred to a study, which revealed that some diseases such as diabetes were not referred to health centers. “Only 5 to 7 percent of diabetic patients sought medical care in health centers. This is because these centers are reeling from the lack of family doctors or community specialists for the treatment of diabetes.”
Speaking at a recent conference, he said the problem of diabetes is not tackled by the Ministry of Health alone.
“Even the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Saudi Standards, Quality and Metrology Organization, health centers, among others, have a role in combating this disease,” he said.
He stressed the need for people to cut down on their sugar intake, if they don’t avoid it altogether since rice and other food items already contain sugars.
He said sports should be encouraged in school, adding that this is one way of investing in the youth.
“There should be sports activities for girls in accordance with Islamic law to help them avoid becoming diabetic,” he emphasized.
He referred to a study, which revealed that some diseases such as diabetes were not referred to health centers. “Only 5 to 7 percent of diabetic patients sought medical care in health centers. This is because these centers are reeling from the lack of family doctors or community specialists for the treatment of diabetes.”
