GCC Group takes care of Diabetics in Gulf Region

Jeddah, February 06, 2010, SPA -- Head of the Gulf Group for studying
diabetes, Dr Abdurrahman Al-Kawari said the Gulf Group established in 2000 by a
number of consultant-physicians who are concerned with diabetes, is a medical
and scientific non-governmental and non-profitable group, which is now fully
engaged in studying diabetes and preparing educational programs for diabetics
in member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

In a statement to The Saudi Press Agency (SPA), on the occasion of convening
the Third international gulf conference in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr
Al-Kawari said the Group is keen on taking care of the diabetics in the Arab
gulf states through carrying out an educational program and conducting studies
pertaining to diabetes in the region.

The conference, will be organized here by the National Guard in cooperation
with King Saud University and the Executive Bureau of the Gulf Health Ministers
and the Saudi Pediatric Association on February 09-11, 2010.

Dr Al-Kawari said the Group has been realizing its goals through a scientific
program which includes medical symposiums and conferences as well as training
courses and workshops which are organized periodically in all gulf states.

Dr Al-Kawari warned against the spread of diabetes in the gulf states and
called for taking precautionary measures in this respect.

In accordance with the available statistics, he said the number of diabetics in
the gulf states ranges between 14 to 20 percent of the total population.

He called for more awareness programs to enlighten the people with the dangers
of diabetes in the gulf states.


--SPA