Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) has lined up a series of programmes to help diabetic patients to fast during Ramadan, the fasting month for Muslims. The initiatives include a hotline, awareness programmes in mosques and instruction workshops for the needy families, as well as continuous awareness messages through the media. \"QDA is intensifying awareness campaigns during the month as diabetic patients need special diet especially during the summer months,\" Sharoud Al Jundi Matthis, programme manager at QDA, said. \"So these programmes will help diabetic patients to fast in a secure way without health risks,\" he said, quoted by Qatari daily The Peninsula. Muslims abstain from food, drink and sensual pleasures from sunrise until sunset throughout the lunar month expected to start on August 1 and end on August 29. According to the QDA, a hotline has been established in association with the Hamad Medical Corporation to enable patients or relatives to contact officials to get more information about fasting. Specialised doctors in diabetes and general medicine will be available to help patients. Some 200 doctors have been trained for this purpose. \"Qatar has one of the highest diabetes rates due to hereditary and lifestyle patterns. So following the success of a similar venture last year, we have launched the service this year also. Doctors from QDA and HMC will respond in the hotline,\" she said. QDA will also conduct instructional classes for needy families at Amna bint Wahab School on dealing with lifestyle and diabetes problems in Ramadan. Awareness campaigns will be held in various mosques after Asr (afternoon) prayers, during which doctors will provide instructions. Two-minute awareness messages on diabetes and prevention of diabetes will be aired on the radio, while similar messages will be beamed through television and disseminated in local newspapers and QDA website. Programmes will also focus on fasting among diabetic children and how parents can help. \"Patients should drink more liquids between Iftar (breaking of the fast) and Suhoor (beginning of the fast) and should delay Suhoor meals as much as possible. Blood sugar should be tested frequently while fasting; it should be between 100 and 120 while fasting. If any discomfort is felt, diabetic patients should stop the fast immediately,\" she said. From / Gulf News