Action on Diabetes, a public-private partnership initiated and funded by Maersk Oil Qatar, has successfully screened more than 100people from Hassad Food as part of a major workplace diabetes-screening programme.

The activity is a key strand of AoD’s ongoing efforts to tackle diabetes in Qatar both by educating members of the community and those at risk on the factors that contribute to the condition, and empowering them to avoid and manage it through early detection and equipping them with simple steps, tools and know-how to safeguard their health.

The screening took place at the company’s headquarters in West Bay over two days and was managed by 12trained diabetes nurses and educators from the Supreme Council of Health, Hamad Medical Corporation and the Primary Health Care Corporation.

On this occasion, H.E Mr Nasser Mohamed Al Hajri, Chairman and Managing Director of Hassad Food, said “The health of our employees is a paramount concern to us, so we are thankful to Action on Diabetes for the valuable insight that its “workplace health” campaign provides both individual employees and the company as a whole. Diabetes is one of Qatar’s greatest health challenges and we are pleased to have played a small part in fighting it”.

Sheikh Faisal Al –Thani, Maersk Oil Qatar Deputy Managing Director, said:

“As a global conglomerate, Maersk is ambitious and committed to Qatar for generations to come. As such, Action on Diabetes along with our other social action programmes is designed to deliver long-term, lasting benefits for Qatar and its people. We’re delighted that our latest screening programme is generating such a positive response and continues to make real progress in tackling this key public health and social welfare challenge.”

As well as screening employees for diabetes, the nurses and educators also provided recommendations on how to reduce the risk of developing diabetes in the future. Brochures and educational information were also distributed to provide people with vital information on diabetes, the importance of early detection and tips on living a healthy lifestyle.

Herluf Nis Thomsen, Action on Diabetes Programme Manager, said:

“It’s great to see that enthusiasm and engagement in our workplace screening programme, this year is every bit as strong as it has been in previous years. It is great to secure the support and backing from major employers like Hassad Food. Through their involvement as well as that of other major employers in Qatar, we’re confident we can reach growing numbers of the local community to help educate and empower them on avoiding the risks, managing the condition and leading fit and healthy lifestyles.”

Overall, the proportion of people with diabetes in Qatar is among the highest in the world, with 16.7% of Qataris having the condition according to a recent Qatar STEPwise report.

The visit by the bus to Hassad Food is the latest in a series of screening activities that will take place at the offices of major private and public sector organisations in Qatar over the coming weeks. It builds on a hugely successul programme of bus screening activity last year that saw more than 5,600 employees from 20 organisations in Qatar take part.

The screenings, funded by Maersk Oil Qatar, include a range of testing equipment to allow analysis of random blood glucose, cholesterol, BMI and blood pressure.

Both individuals and companies benefit from the Action on Diabetes workplace health campaign. Those tested receive a personalised analysis of the results and risk levels, as well as recommendations on how to reduce their risk score over time. A Health overview is provided to employers along with a final report, which aggregates screening results with follow-up recommendations.

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QNE

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