Diabetes awareness is particularly important as the prevalence of the disease is on the rise and most Jordanians living with diabetes do not have satisfactory control of the condition. Approximately 17% of Jordanians have been diagnosed with diabetes and another 7.8% have impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG), also known as “pre-diabetes” most of which are not yet diagnosed. A national focus on prevention is critical since a healthy lifestyle and diet can greatly impact the number of people diagnosed per year.

For their part, Hikma’s activities this month aim to raise awareness for the public and for the company’s employees. In the community Hikma will be sponsoring a large awareness tent in collaboration with the Jordan Society for the Care of Diabetes. The tent to be held in the King Hussein Cultural Center in Ras Al-Ain on November 24, 25 will provide the public with several educational lectures and free blood sugar tests to screen for the condition. Also, a dietician will be on site to educate the community about diet choices for optimal health.
To show support for a healthy lifestyle, Hikma employees joined together with prominent doctors, key thought leaders and members of the community for a cycling activity to raise awareness about the connection between diabetes and lifestyle and how exercise is an important factor in preventing and controlling diabetes. Moreover, Prof. Kamel Ajlouni will be giving an informative lecture about the condition at Hikma premises. To mark the International Diabetes Day, blue candles were distributed to doctors and blue balloons were also prominently displayed at Hikma facilities.

Regarding the campaign, Hikma’s Director of Marketing, Mr Basel Ziyadeh stated, “Our commitment to improve the health of Jordanians exceeds the production and supply of quality medications. For us it is equally important to provide knowledge and support to raise awareness about conditions like diabetes in a quest to improve people’s quality of life”.