Arab Children Health Congress creates key recommendations to control diabetes in the region

The closing sessions focused on providing clear and measurable proposals that will then be put forward to the Ministry of Health with the aim of affecting change in regional health policies.

The plan drawn up by the ACHC panelists has been divided into four different categories focusing on improvements at the regional, national, school and media levels.

Recommendations at the regional level and national focused on adopting rules and regulations aimed at implementing preventative measures and protecting the rights of children with Diabetes, while recommendations for the school looked at ways in which to strengthen the capacity of schools and the capabilities of personnel in caring for children with Diabetes through a number of clearly defined initiatives. At the media level, the emphasis was placed on building partnerships and activating the role of the media to help raise awareness of the disease.

"I am extremely proud of the outcome of this year's Congress. The shared experiences of children with Diabetes coupled with the knowledge and expertise of the health care professionals at Congress have resulted in a clear set of recommendations on how to tackle the Diabetes issue effectively. I am convinced that we can now move forward and see some positive results. Our children are our future and I strongly believe that through the initiatives put forward by the Congress, we will be able to ensure a brighter future for all", said Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.

In addition to the recommendations, the panel also elected the new ACHC ambassador representing children with Diabetes. Omani national Habiba Malik Al Tawqi, who was diagnosed with Diabetes at the age of two, will assume her new role as the 2007 ambassador for the Congress. Habiba underwent amputations on both her legs and a kidney transplant as a result of Diabetes related complications. Her experiences will allow her to shed light on life with Diabetes.

The winners of the poster exhibition, whereby children from different schools within the country expressed their views and opinions of children battling the disease through art, were also announced at the final day of the congress. Afra Essa, Amina Khalid and Afra Ahmed from the Safiya School in Dubai won the competition with their depiction.

The Arab Children Health Congress was launched by Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein in an effort to create a platform for challenged Arab youth and children to discuss health issues and to raise public awareness on health concerns faced by young people in the UAE and the rest of the region. Every year, a child ambassador is chosen to help spread awareness of his / her particular illness and how it can be conquered.