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THE_Bahrain Diabetes Society has appealed to the kingdom's corporate bodies, institutions and philanthropists to donate generously towards the construction costs of a new 'Diabetes Centre for Prevention and Rehabilitation' at A'Ali.
The three-floor building, projected to cost over BD1.6 million, is to be built on land donated by His Majesty King Hamad.
The centre, which will be the first of its kind in the kingdom, aims to provide all diabetics on the island with an integrated health service for the prevention and control of the condition.
Society president Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said: "Twenty-five to 30 per cent of the native adult population is suffering from diabetes.
"It is today a national problem that has a significant impact on the country's medical services. It also causes problems for families and disrupts work in organisations on account of sick leave.
"The centre aims to educate all diabetics on how to live a healthier life with the disease.
"Families are also affected and it's important to help them learn simple ways to adjust life with a patient and help their loved ones control blood sugar levels and other complications caused by diabetes.
"The services will include programmes on nutrition and diabetes education. A number of physical activities aimed at reducing and preventing obesity among patients will also be organised."
Alongside spaces for commercial shops and private clinics that will support in the running of the centre, the building will have two separate gymnasiums for men and women, a swimming pool, a library and a learning kitchen for training patients and others cook healthy meals suitable for the control of the diabetes.
Dr Shaikh Mohammed added: "The annual running cost of the centre will be around BD150,000. We will have at least six educators, five physical trainers and two nutritionists to run the various programmes in the centre.
"There will be a nominal fee from the members availing of facilities at the centre.
"We have ambitious plans to complete the building in the next two years. With active help from the community we hope to raise at least BD1.25 million towards the construction costs."
On completion, the centre will also house the society's headquarters that currently operates out of Salmaniya Medical Complex.
Solely run by volunteer members the Bahrain Diabetes Society's Dr Maryam Al Mulla Harmas Al Hajeri has been organising popular annual diabetes education camps for affected children in the summer.
Dr Sami Nassemi, another member, has been the head of the committee of walkways in Bahrain.
In the past year with the assistance of Salmaniya Medical Complex, Joslin Diabetes Centre and BDF Hospital, the society held special lectures to educate over 300 private and government school teachers on how to recognise diabetic symptoms and cope with students affected from the disease.
To make donations please email bahdaib2006@hotmail.com or call the Society on 17252822.
