The Ministry of Health launched a nationwide diabetes health awareness program in Riyadh on Thursday.

Dr. Mansour Al-Hawasi, deputy health minister, led the launching ceremonies on behalf of Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah.

A number of prominent health officials including deputy ministers of health, undersecretaries and senior health ministry officials attended the morning program, which was entitled “Protect your family”.

An exhibition was held to mark the event with seven pavilions displaying various aspects of diabetes.

Speaking on the occasion, Al-Hawasi said the program was organized in line with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah’s vision, to implement a comprehensive health plan for Saudi citizens.

Describing diabetes as a growing disease in the Kingdom, the deputy minister pointed out that his ministry has chalked out a strategic plan to cover chronic diseases that affect people in the Kingdom.

“We have 20 specialized clinics to treat diabetics throughout the Kingdom,” he said, pointing out that the awareness program aims to raise awareness about preventive measures against diabetes as well as means of living with the disease.

According to Dr. Muhammed Al-Harbi, head of the diabetes unit at the Ministry of Health, Diabetes type 1 is normally found among adults who have passed the age of 40 years. However, he added due to obesity, children tend to develop this disease at an early stage. He also explained that diabetes is a hereditary disease, which normally occurs among 60 to 80 percent of those whose parents are diabetics.

Al-Harbi said that diabetes mellitus type 2, which affects children, could be overcome by following healthy habits, including weight control.

A well-balanced food regimen, regular physical exercises and adequate rest constitutes elements to healthy living, he noted.

Early detection of the disease will also help patients keep the disease under control with proper medication and medical advice, he pointed out. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and type 2.

Type 2 diabetes constitutes 90 percent of the diabetes cases in Saudi Arabia, and is usually the outcome of unhealthy dietary habits, lack of exercise and the prevalence of obesity. These key factors have resulted in diabetes becoming a silent killer.

The Ministry of Health is providing treatment to all those affected and offering preventive measures including mass education to citizens and residents.

The prevalence of diabetes in the Kingdom is reported at an alarming level with over 25 percent of the adult population suffering from the disease. The figure is expected to double by 2030.

Half of the people over 30 years of age are prone to diabetes.

Saudi Arabia has the second highest rate of diabetes in the Middle East and is the seventh highest in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Some reports suggest that the Kingdom spends approximately SR30 billion every year on the treatment of diabetes. A patient’s treatment costs the government SR5,000 per year, if there are no complications. The cost increases to around SR98,000 to SR180,000 to treat renal failure patients.

Loss of vision is one of the primary concerns for individuals with diabetes.

Approximately two thirds of diabetics are likely to experience loss of vision after 35 years of diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy very often results in impaired vision. Diabetes is 25 times more likely to lead to blindness than any other condition. A person with impaired vision due to diabetic retinopathy may see dark spots or have restricted side vision due to decreased contrast sensitivity.

Globally there are currently 336 million people who have diabetes.

This figure is set to rise to over 550 million by 2030. The epidemic is causing the death of 4.6 million a year, or one victim in every 7 seconds.

Diabetes is among top 10 causes for disability, resulting in life threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, lower limb amputations and blindness.

It estimated that 50 percent of people with diabetes are undiagnosed.