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Gulf States pledge to make diabetes a priority

17 Jul 2007 08:57

The Health Ministers of the Gulf States have thrown their full support behind the United Nations resolution on diabetes and have pledged to do their part to reverse the diabetes epidemic.

In December 2006, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted Resolution 61/225: ‘World Diabetes Day’ which recognized the global burden of the diabetes epidemic and encouraged Member States to develop national policies for the prevention, care and treatment of diabetes. It asks nations to do this in line with the sustainable development of their healthcare systems, taking into account internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.

The Health Ministers for the Cooperation Council States, (United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Yemen) have taken up the UN’s challenge. In a letter to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the Ministers pledged to place diabetes and other non-communicable diseases as a top priority on their health agenda.  In their Declaration they recognize the importance of UN Resolution 61/225 and World Health Assembly Resolution 57/17. 

“I would like to emphasize the dedication of Health Ministers’ in the Gulf to control this epidemic, and take whatever necessary actions to help decrease the burden of disease and implement national strategies heading at reduction of risk factors of the diabetes mellitus,” said Dr. Tawfik Khoja, Director General, Executive Board, Council of Health Ministers for GCC States.

IDF President Professor Martin Silink said “this is a marvelous document and hopefully will be the forerunner of similar declarations from other Ministries of Health in various regions of the world.”

The Declaration (pdf, 920KB).

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