Started by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and World Health Organization (WHO), the Day is celebrated on 14 November to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, was instrumental in the discovery of insulin in 1922, a life-saving treatment for diabetes patients.
World Diabetes Day is intended to raise the health awareness of diabetics, and even those vulnerable to the disease, and provide the best possible health and health-awareness services.
World Diabetes Day is launched this year under the theme: “Diabetes: Protect Our Future”. It is meant to raise people's awareness of how to avoid diabetes, or even put it off, by following a healthy dietary system and keeping to exercise, as well as maintaining body weight within the normal level. Avoiding tobacco-use, besides, contributes to protecting people against diabetes (Type 2), or putting it off. Estimates show that 220 million population around the world suffer from diabetes, and this number is projected to double by 2030, unless serious actions are taken.
It is worth mentioning that more than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. The Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH), for its part, is looking forward to raise people's awareness of diabetes, the rates of its onset, which is still on the rise, as well as the groups of people prone to the disease, as well as how to prevent it.
Internationally Approved Date: 14/11/2012
Locally Approved Date: 29/12/1433H
Theme of the World Diabetes Day:
Diabetes: Protect Our Future
Targeted Groups:
- Patients with diabetes.
- Health decision-makers.
- Diabetes health educators.
- All segments of society.
General Objectives of the World Diabetes Day:
- Encouraging governments to promote and implement policies to prevent and control diabetes and its complications.
- Supporting national initiatives to control diabetes and its complications.
- Explaining the importance of evidence-based education in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications.
- Increasing awareness of warning signs of diabetes and encouraging early diagnosis.
- Promoting measures to reduce risk factors of Type 2 Diabetes.
- Promoting measures to prevent or delay complications of diabetes.
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