Diabetes Day is held on November 14 every year, and it is commemorated to raise the community’s and patient’s awareness on this disease. Over 195 countries from all over the world, decision makers, journalists and health care specialists participate in raising the awareness of diabetics and the public on this disease.

Different topics related to Diabetes are covered every year in celebration of this day, and the title chosen for this year’s activities is “our right in a healthy future “. Diabetes mellitus is considered one of the most chronic and deadly diseases that affects adults & elderly, women and men nowadays, regardless of their social rank. It is a great threat of public health and a major health issue that is on the rise and most of Diabetes victims are adults.

Global Statistics have shown that over 415 Million people from all over the world have diabetes, and this percentage is likely to rise in 2040. Adding to that the risen percentage of people with Glucose metabolism disorder (cases hidden diabetes that is likely to be diabetic in the future) and, as this percentage exceeded 318 Mil and this number is likely to increase in 2040 to reach 481 Mil. Statistics have shown that the majority of the people with hidden diabetes are not aware of the fact that they have diabetes.

199 mil women have diabetes nowadays and this number is increasing to reach 313 in 2040. Diabetes affects woman’s body badly in the long run and its complications do not only affect the woman but endangers the whole family.

One of the major causes of Diabetes mellitus is; overweight and obesity, as there are 42 Mil pregnant women approximately from all over the globe who are obese or overweighed. Many complications might incur as a result including having Diabetes mellitus type 2 post pregnancy, as it may affect the infant also during pregnancy or even during pregnancy or after it.

In the kingdom of Bahrain Diabetes mellitus is on the rise, as there are over 14% person in the kingdom with diabetes, which makes it a national issue that needs to be taken with high importance. It is also a major challenge given the fact that this risen percentage of diabetics requires enforces a lot of experiences on the government, not for this illness itself but for the complications it causes on the heart, kidney, eyes and feet.

To fight this disease we need to deliver this message to the public:
Diabetes Mellitus is a national issue and a burden on the government’s shoulders that threatens the public, and it doesn’t target their health only, as it has social and economic effects as well. To fight this mellitus we need to raise the public’s and patient’s awareness about this disease and that is through early detection of risk factors that leads to diabetes and promoting healthy diet and physical activities.