Diabetes campaign promotes ‘safety’ during Ramadan

By Editor
23rd June 2015
BME, Latest news

Muslims with diabetes who are choosing to fast during Ramadan are being urged to “stay safe” by a national awareness campaign.

Ramadan in 2015 started on Thursday, June 18, and will continue for around 30 days, with Muslims fasting between sunrise and sunset, meaning they are allowed no food or drink at all.

Fasting can lead to a much higher risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and dehydration, as well as an increased chance of high glucose levels at the pre-dawn meal known as Suhoor and the evening meal called Iftar when the fast is ended.

The Leicester Diabetes Centre – an international centre of excellence in diabetes research, education and innovation led by Professors Kamlesh Khunti and Melanie Davies – has launched the Safer Ramadan Campaign to spread information, knowledge and education.

The campaign is encouraging people with diabetes to take advantage of advice and support to avoid complications of the condition during the holy month.

Professor Khunti said: “Ramadan is one of the most important periods for a practising Muslim but if you have diabetes then extra consideration and planning are needed to avoid unwanted complications of the condition.

“As whole families and communities have a different lifestyle during Ramadan, even people who choose not to fast or are exempt from fasting need to be safety conscious.”

Professor Davies commented: “If you are thinking of fasting for Ramadan then we would always advise that you contact your diabetes team for advice on how to manage your diabetes at this time. We would also encourage people to access our free information leaflets.”

A series of resources about diabetes and Ramadan have been developed by the Leicester Diabetes Centre.

To download the ‘Looking After Diabetes During Ramadan’ leaflet, click here.

The ‘A Safer Ramadan Toolkit’ is available for any health organisation to purchase. It contains community awareness resources, healthcare professional training and patient education sessions to help raise awareness in local communities of the need to fast safely with Type 2 diabetes during Ramadan. For more information, click here.

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