History and Achievements

The Qatar Diabetes Association is a charitable, nonprofit organization established in November 1995 with the support of H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, and under the auspices of H.H. Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, Chair of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.

In 1999 the QDA was re-established under the umbrella of Qatar Foundation, becoming one of its centers.

QDA is the only association in Qatar that is dedicated to the issue of diabetes. Its mission is to give proper care to people having diabetes and to their families, and to help them understand the reality of their illness in order to lead normal and productive lives.

In September 1996 the Women's Branch was established. Women form an essential link between the family and the medical team, as they are typically responsible for the health of the whole family.

In 1997 QDA set up its Volunteer Center, which was the first in Qatar. It was established in recognition of QDA volunteers who actively campaign in different QDA activities such as World Diabetes Day, symposia, camps and fund-raising.

In 1999 the Bawasil Camp was launched. This is an annual camp held for diabetic children from 17 countries in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Region. This program teaches diabetic children to lead normal and independent lives. The Al Bawasil Camp has been one of the QDA's greatest achievements, as it has made a tremendous difference to the lives of children with diabetes. Other countries have followed the lead of Qatar in this initiative, by offering their own camps.

QDA became a dynamic member of the International Diabetes Federation in April 1997. In 2000 QDA became the head of the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region. Dr. Abdulrahman Salim Al Kuwari, former Minister of Public Health and former Chairman of QDA, was the first Gulf national to be chairman for the region, and Lolwa Al Obaidli was the first woman to be a regional manager in the EMME region.

QDA's Most Important Programs

• QDA applied a health education program in 16 schools between the October 2000 and April 2003.
• Participation of Rayyan Health Center in the exhibition held on the occasion of Anniversary Global Health Day, April 12, 2003.
• QDA sends caravans to far regions of Qatar the year around.
• Participation of 15 Al Bawasil campers in the Horse Ride Program at the Horsemanship Club, April 2003.
• Held an open day in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. On this day the female university students were medically examined, lectures were delivered including a lecture about diabetes and pamphlets were issued.
• Organized lecture on April 22, 2003 on "How to take care of the feet and choose the right shoes." The lecturer was Dr. Patricia Aborman, the foot specialist at Hamad Medical Institute.
• Participation of Wakrah Health Center in celebrating Global Nursing Day in May 2003, where a lecture was delivered about "Diabetes and protection from it."
• Participation of Qatar University's Faculty of Science and Nursing Department in celebrating Global Nursing Day.
• Participation of Alma tar Health Center in celebrating Family Day, May 2003.
• The Education Center in collaboration with the Diabetic Children Clinic, a subsidiary of Hamad Medical Institution, held an educational meeting with the mothers of diabetic children at Al Bawasil. The meeting was managed by Prof. Ashraf Solaiman, Consultant of Endocrine Glands and Children Diabetes, and Doctor Merriam Al Ali, Consultant of Children Diabetes. The medical team of QDA was among the attendants.
• The summer activity of Al Bawasil began on July 21 and ended on July 31, 2003.
• QDA held lecture at Doha Club titled "What is new in diabetes," delivered by Prof. Ayman Akkad, Professor at the American Universities, visiting the Children's Department of Hamad Medical Institution. Among the attendants were the doctors from numerous health centers, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar and many professors of the faculty.
• Participation in the International Conference of the Diabetes International Union, which is held every three years. It comprises all the world associations and institutions concerned in diabetes. The last conference was held August 2003.
• The Women's Branch of QDA participated in "The Open Day" that was held in collaboration with VCUQ on September 23, 2003.
• Participation in the 51st meeting of the Council of Ministry of Health for the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean region at the International Health Organization, during the period September-October 2003. QDA was represented by then Executive Director Lolwa Hassan Al-Obaidli.
• During Ramadan 2004 the association organized the Hotline Program, to answer the questions of the diabetics and their families about the problems diabetics suffer during fasting .The line worked from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. every day, and the answers were delivered by consultants and specialists from Hamad Medical Institution.
• Al Khattab mosque held numerous medical lectures on diabetes delivered by the medical coordinator QDA.
• Educational health activities in some schools: November 06, 2003, lecture in Pakistan School in Doha; November 08, 2003, health education and testing blood sugar for students of Alshrouk Model School in Wakrah; November 16, 2003, a lecture and workshop in Rayyan Secondary School for Girls.
• Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) entered into partnership with the whole world in celebrating the anniversary of Global Diabetes Day on November 14, 2004. The celebration involved several demonstrations through the information media and involving the public.
• Participation in the 8th Scientific Conference on Diabetes, which was held at Luxor in the Arab Republic of Egypt in December 2003. This conference was organized by the Egyptian Diabetes Association, in addition to the participation in the regional meeting of the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean region, subordinate to Diabetes International Union.
• The Women's Branch held an educational program including a lecture and a workshop on foot care, in addition to testing blood sugar ratios, measuring length and weight for the female students in Al Rayyan Preparatory School at the women branch during four days:

• The QDA held, at the General Trusteeship Office of the Central Municipality on December 16, 2003, a life day for diabetics. The day included testing blood sugar ratio, in addition to distributing guidance pamphlets.
• The Women's Branch on December 22, 2003 held a workshop on diabetes, in addition to testing blood sugar ratio and distribution of guidance pamphlets at Al Falah Primary School for Girls.
• On December 22, 2003 the Eye Clinic at the education center of the Women's Branch was opened under the supervision of Doctor Maha Al Shaf"ei. The aims of the clinic focused on the protection programs through the early diagnosis of defects in the retina, as complications of diabetes. The clinic works every Monday from 5-7 p.m. and for the time being only for females.
• QDA participated in the 6th Shrouk Camp at Bahrain with delegates under supervision of Doctor Amel Adam, QDA Medical Coordinator, December 2003.
• QDA participated in the training workshop held by the Health Education Center, in the field of "Strategic Planning for Health Education Programs," December-January, 2004.
• In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, QDA joined with the Educational Complex for Males at Omar Ebn Alkhattab School in January 2004.
• QDA participated in a meeting on "Managing Psychological Stresses for the Working Woman between Home and Work,' which was organized by the Social Development Center, where Doctor Homoud Fahd Al Kasha delivered a lecture, January 2004.
• QDA issued simplified informative and educational guidance to both the citizens and the residents in the State of Qatar, through the information media, namely newspapers, magazines, radio and television.
• QDA entered into partnership with Avicenna Institute in holding a medical program in March 2004.
• Participation in the celebration of the 10th anniversary "Global Family Year" in collaboration with the Supreme Council on Family Affairs.
• QDA held a seminar on "Fasting and Diabetes" at Al Sakr club on the evening of October 20, 2003 where the attendants were informed about the most important health problems that diabetics face during fasting.
• The Women's Branch held a training session on nurturing diabetics on the morning of October 22, 2003.
• QDA and Qatar Red Crescent celebrated Ramadan nights at Omar Ebn.
• Introduced demonstrations, programs and distribution of educational material at Alladin's Kingdom, April 2004.
• Inaugurated a number of programs concerned with diabetes in
• collaboration with the IDU, including :
• Program I: "Diabetes by all means, action must be done now."
• (accompanying model 2)
• Program II: "Diabetes - an urgent decision is needed."
• (Accompanying model 3)
• Two weeks of training sessions, beginning on August 2004, were held for mothers of diabetics, and then for diabetic students.
• On October 07, 2004, there was a visit to Um Hakim Secondary School for Girls, where a lecture was delivered about diabetes.
• Participation with Qatar University in holding an exhibition about "A Better Health Future," October 2004.
• Participation with the Qatar National Olympic Committee during the period October 24 -27, 2004, in delivering the program: Healthy and Physical Fitness at the Northern Municipality Garden near Sheraton Hotel.
• On December 06, 2004, there was a visit to Bedei Model School, where a lecture was delivered on diabetes to mothers and students.
• Ali Bin Ali Company held a workshop on "How to Use the Insulin Pump."
• A visit to Abu Baker Al Seddeek Primary School for Males, on
• September 26, 2004 in order to hold an educational guidance meeting on diabetes. Blood sugar was tested for a number of pupils and teachers.
• In response to an invitation from Al Ma'nei House for Memorizing the Holy Qur'an, a lecture was delivered about "Diabetes and Fasting." Pamphlets were distributed and blood sugar was tested for a number of female students and teachers.
• Participation in "Spring of Childhood Program," September 30-October 03, 2004, at Al Bidda Garden, where QDA conducted blood sugar testing, distribution of pamphlets and answering of questions on diabetes.
• Through partnership with Ras Gas, a workshop was held on diabetes at Al Khor City, October 2004.