Qatar Diabetes Association Organizes ‘Al-Tahadi Diabetes Girls Camp’

Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), organized its first ‘Al-Tahadi Diabetes Girls Camp’, targeting young females in Qatar who are living with type 1 diabetes.

The camp took place at QF’s Education City, with 22 girls aged 12-15 years participating. It is the latest of a variety of QF-supported initiatives designed to address immediate social needs in the community by raising awareness of management and prevention of diabetes.

The three-day camp included a number of educational, sports, religious and leisure activities, with a team of experts, dietitians, and educators from QDA being on hand to enhance participants’ skills in self-care and diabetes management.

Dr Abdullah Al Hamaq, Executive Director at Qatar Diabetes Association, said: “Our aim for the ‘Al-Tahadi Diabetes Girls Camp is to empower young people affected by diabetes, help them control the disease through educational and moral support. We want them to understand the importance of their role in society and encourage them to engage with others, as well as to develop their personalities.

“The programs of the camp combine sport and fun along with education and support for teenagers with diabetes, as well as providing them with the tools they need to live happy, healthy, balanced lives.

“We have been organizing the Al-Tahadi’ Camp for boys annually, but this is the first edition for girls, since our previous girls' camps were only for those who use the insulin pump. We plan to have the girls’ camp every year as well, because all adolescents with diabetes need special attention as they go through an important developmental stage in their life. The camp is intended to offer them the support they need to keep diabetes under control and enjoy their teenage years.”

Dr Al Hamaq thanked parents of participants for recognising the importance of educating children about diabetes, and the benefits of leading healthy and productive lives.