Community-Based Activities held in Marah Rabah Small steps .. Significant benefits ... A normal life with diabetes

(Bethlehem -26/11/2012) Palestine Red Crescent Society Primary Health Care Department (PHC) held community-based celebration in Marah Rabah (Bethlehem Governorate) to mark the World Diabetes Day and the International Day for the Elderly.

Held through the Society’s Community Awareness Committees, these activities are part of the Community-Based Health and First Aid Programs supported by the Swedish and the Norwegian Red Cross Societies. the celebration also crown an awareness-raising campaign held in various areas in the south of the West Bank to mark the World Diabetes Day. Activities were implemented with the participation of volunteers and persons with diabetes from areas including Halhoul, Al Khader, Beit Fajjar, Ithna, Tarkoumia, Bani Na’im and other nearby villages.

Mr. Ibrahim Al Sheikh, President of the Marah Rabah Village local Council, thanked PRCS for its efforts as well as for the leading role it plays in humanitarian, health and social fields. “Community Awareness Committees also play a major role in our village and in neighboring villages in order to educate inhabitants and provide assistance to persons in need. This is done through First Aid training courses and health education sessions. The committee members enjoy excellent ties with all village inhabitants, including elderly persons and persons suffering from chronic diseases, thanks to home visits and other activities.

Dr. Anwar Dweikat, Head of PRCS’ PHC Department, said: “PRCS serves all Palestinians. It is a humanitarian organization that aims primarily at safeguarding human dignity and at providing health, curative and social services. I would like to thank all Community Awareness Committees especially in Marah Rabah for their help and for working to reach small communities, thanks to the help of volunteers”.

Dr. Mu’taz Badawi, Director of the PHC center in Beit Fajjar, spoke about the importance of these events which aim at raising awareness about diabetes and its complications. “Such awareness raising helps prevent diabetes, limits its complications and helps patients to live with this disease”, he said.

In addition to raising awareness about diabetes, the activities organized in Marah Rabah also focused on the rights of and care for the elderly. Some drama sketches were performed by the volunteers and carried social and health messages.

Ms. Makram Takatka took the floor to describe her experience with diabetes and the support she received from PRCS’ PHC Center as well as from psychological support teams and Community Awareness Committee members. “I conquered diabetes and did not let it conquer me. When I discovered I had diabetes I thought it was the end of the world. However, I managed to control my blood sugar levels within six months with the help of the Center’s doctor and Committee members who visited me at home and provided me with a lot of advices”, she said.

At the end of the ceremony, Abou Bassam from Bani Na’im spoke about the importance of traditions and values which urge us to respect the elderly and to learn from them. Symbolic gifts were then distributed to the elderly as well as to persons with diabetes in cooperation with PRCS Bethlehem Branch

Mrs. Fatima Sakik, Manager of Community Health Program, said this ceremony is part of activities held by the PHC Department to mark the World Diabetes Day and the International Day for the Elderly and other related anniversaries. It is also part of a community-based program that targets the most marginalized communities. “Many activities were held on this occasion in Anabta, Bidia, Biddou, Kattanna, Halhoul, Arraba and Beit Fajjar which included medical tests for elderly and diabetics as well as home visits by volunteers and community-based health teams in addition to educational lectures, free medical days and psychosocial support to patients.