Managing diabetes when fasting during the holy month of Ramadan can prove challenging for patients and their caregivers. To address this, a new educational program has been rolled out by the Diabetes and Ramadan (DAR) International Alliance with the support of Sanofi, to provide Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) and people with diabetes across the region with useful training and information to help them safely manage the condition when fasting.
The program was initiated in response to the Ramadan gaps identified by a group of diabetes experts from concerned countries last year. One of the most important gaps identified was the need to further educate patients and ensure all HCPs are well trained, by updating and advancing the required educational tools to aid better diabetes management when fasting.
As part of the agreed upon solutions by the group, a Ramadan Train the Trainers (TTT) program was rolled out. During the session, healthcare professionals were trained and tasked with carrying forward the knowledge and skills to other local trainers within their respective countries.
“Living with diabetes requires constant monitoring, care and lifestyle changes, which need to be factored in when fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, as it could pose health risks which need to be managed. Education of patients and healthcare professionals is a crucial aspect in doing so, and the Ramadan Train the Trainers program provides information and tools that are aligned with the Guidelines on Diabetes Management during Ramadan issued last year by the DAR International Alliance,” said Dr Mohamed Hassanein, Chairman of Diabetes & Ramadan (DAR) International Alliance, Consultant in Endocrinology, Dubai Hospital.
DAR International Alliance have been involved in creating innovative approaches for diabetes management, supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Sanofi. This included an integrated digital hub, called DAR SaFa (Diabetes and Ramadan Safe Fasting) to help Muslims around the world manage their diabetes during Ramadan and beyond. This platform helps to further support the current educational program by providing HCPs with access to the latest medical information, and the general public with access to diabetes nutrition plans, advice, and a range of educational videos and information.
“At Sanofi, we seize every opportunity to continue our long-standing commitment to diabetes care, and our support of physicians and patients. Our goal is not just to provide quality treatments for diabetic patients, but to support them in their journey and help them improve their quality of life. It is particularly important for people with diabetes to understand how they can fast safely during the holy month, and we are here to help address this educational challenge in the region. Through the Ramadan Train the Trainer program and research initiatives, we hope to create a sustainable model of education and awareness-building and provide easy-to-access tools and information, which are aligned with the DAR international Alliance guidelines,” said Jean-Paul Scheuer, Country Chair and General Manager for Gulf Countries, Sanofi.
