Thousands of people joined a walkathon under the slogan ‘Beat Diabetes’ at the Doha Corniche yesterday.
More than 4,500 people including school students joined the walk to raise public awareness about diabetes and disseminate tools for prevention.
Participants wearing T-shirts and caps with the slogan ‘Beat Diabetes’ printed and children with face paintings walked along the Corniche, with the band of the Civil Defence Force.
The walk was organised by the Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) jointly with Landmark Group as a part of awareness campaigns held throughout the month to mark the World Diabetes Day.
Landmark Group, which launched a diabetes awareness campaign last year in UAE, has expanded it to Qatar this year as diabetes is growing at an alarming rate across the globe.
“With research figures we realised that a 40 percent of individuals who are living with Type-2 diabetes are not even aware of the fact that they are suffering from this condition. This prompted us to take up the cause and help spread awareness about diabetes,” said Suresh Sarma, Head of Operation, Land Mark Group, Qatar. “This response to the event was brilliant, this exceeds our expectations,” he said.
The Landmark Group is also looking for other options to promote more awareness for regular medical check-ups, adopting the right lifestyle and help increase awareness in the community.
Dr Mahmoud Zirie, head of the scientific committee at QDA and Head of Diabetes and Endocrinology Department at Hamad Medical Corporation, Dr Sharoud Al Jundi, QDA’s programme manager, Bhuvana Acharya, head of Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility, Landmark Group also joined the walk.
Public at the walk were offered a free blood glucose test and children were provided with a healthy snack meal.
An entertainment programme was held, while a stilt-walker was present at the Corniche following the walk.
The Peninsula