THE Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) launched its helpline for the holy month of Ramadan. And the helpline has already been widely appreciated by diabetic patients.
“The phone-based emergency service was launched a week ago. It has gained popularity among the diabetic patients. The helpline is aimed to assist diabetic patients who have decided to fast during Ramadan,” said Dr Amal Adam, QDA’s medical cocoordinator.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune on Monday, Dr Amal, who is handling the QDA’s hotline, said she is receiving numerous calls every day.
“I receive almost 100 calls per day. This does not include the calls received by the HMC and the PHC doctors,” Amal said. She, however, said that most diabetics call after Iftar.
The hotlines include two mobile numbers and a landline to assist callers in the morning and the evening.
The QDA hotline numbers are ‘44547311’ and ‘55274919’ and one can call any time between 8am and 1pm. The other hotline service number is ‘55981331’, open from 8pm to 11pm.
QDA staff, 15 doctors from the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and 15 doctors from the Primary Health Care (PHC) are constantly available to answer the queries of the patients, families and friends.
“The patients are calling us every day since the service started. The patients usually expect a quick response to their questions. But, we first ask them the details of their medical history and then respond to their queries. We also tell them to check their sugar levels and call back again,” Dr Amal said.
“It is a challenge to convince patients to break the fast when they are suffering from either low or high blood sugar levels.
Some patients call with blood sugar levels below 70 or 80 and it is as early as 8.30am. Others call with high blood sugar levels of over 400Mg/dl. Therefore, I try to convince them to break their fast immediately. If the patients, suffering from low or high blood sugar levels, do not break the fast, it can lead to diabetes ketoacidosis or state of comatose condition,” Amal further said.
Qatar Tribune .
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