Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Holds a March to Mark the World Diabetes Day

(Qalqilia-14/11/2012): PRCS held a large march to mark the World Diabetes Day celebrated annually on the 14th of November. Participants marched through Qalqilia, starting off at PRCS/Qalqilia and finishing near Qalqilia zoo.

The march, which was organized in cooperation with the Spanish Red Cross, was held with the participation of Marwan Khadr -representing the Governor of the city- and representatives from Qalqilia Municipality and Civil SocietyOrganizations. Other key participants included Dr. Anwar Dweikat, Head of the Health Care Department at PRCS, Mr. Khaled Al Hajj Hassan, Head of PRCS/Qalqilia, the branch’s Director General as well as several branch coordinators, volunteers and staff, Dr. Saleh Abou Abah, Coordinator of the Chronic Diseases Program at PRCS, Ana Roldan from the Spanish Red Cross and hundreds of patients suffering from chronic diseases from PRCS’ health centers in Bidya, Silwad and Biddou as well as tens of UNRWA beneficiaries.

The march was held under the banner “Working together to improve health conditions of chronic diseases’ patients; Working together to help patients living with diabetes”. Participants raised slogans calling for serious efforts to provide medicine to patients, improve the receipt of patients, improve the quality of diabetes medications, namely insulin, and to establish social, cultural and sports clubs for patients. These demands were also submitted in writing to PRCS, the Governor of Qalqilia, UNRWA and the Directorate of Health.

At the end of the march, Marwan Khadr, Khaled Al Hajj Hassan, Dr. Anwar Dweikat and Ms. Ana Roldan took the floor to stress the importance of providing care to chronic diseases’ patients. They underlined the importance of programs targeting these patients, mainly in the field of Guidance and Awareness-Raising and Psychological Support as these programs play a major role in alleviating the effects and complications linked to diabetes.

It is to be noted that PRCS runs several clinics specialized in chronic diseases throughout Palestine and the diaspora. The Society is keen on marking the World Diabetes Day through a series of activities and events such as free-of-charge medical days, screening tests, marches, educational and awareness-raising activities, workshops, leaflet distribution, stress release sessions and camps.

The Chronic Diseases Program was launched by PRCS back in 2007 with support from the Spanish Red Cross. It is implemented in the following areas in the West Bank: Jaba’, Biddou, Bidia, Toubas, Silwad, Bani Na’im, Beit Fajjar, Halhoul and Arraba.