Under the patronage of MU Rector, Prof. Saleh Al-Mezal, the Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs, Prof. Mohammad Al-Aboudi, launched the World Diabetes Day 2024 Exhibition which is organized by the Deanship of Student Affairs in cooperation with the university's health colleges and Sheikh Abdullah Al-Tuwaijri Chair for Stroke. The exhibition took place at the College of Medicine building and aimed to educate students and staff about diabetes including its types, methods of prevention and treatment as well as sharing general health awareness tips such as exercising and a healthy diet.
The concerned authorities in the Kingdom led by the Ministry of Health are making efforts to increase public awareness about diabetes which is considered to be a chronic disease. The diabetic patient's glucose or sugar rises above the normal rate in blood, causing serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves, if it is not controlled.
This event highlighted the importance of leveling up the awareness of families about the warning signs of diabetes as well as the early diagnosis. According to specialists, there are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes which is characterized by low insulin production, and Type 2 diabetes which occurs as a result of the body's ineffective use of this substance.
More than 371 million people worldwide are diabetic which is mainly caused by unhealthy food, overweight, lack of exercise, psychological stress, and genetic factors.