Healthcare | Sunday 7 May, 2017 9:30 am |

The number of diabetes patients in the Kingdom is expected to exceed 4 million by 2030, experts said, adding that the disease has affected about 25 percent of the country’s population.

The percentage of diabetes cases among people aged over 50 has reached more than 50 percent, they said while addressing the third Middle East Diabetic Conference in Jeddah.

Dr. Yousuf Al-Turki, vice president of King Abdulaziz University, opened the conference on behalf of Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal Bin Majed in the presence of Dr. Mahmoud Al-Ahwal, dean of the medical college and Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Asheikh, chairman of Saudi Diabetes and Endocrine Association.

Addressing the conference at Park Hyatt Hotel, Al-Asheikh said diabetes has become one of the fast spreading ailments in the Kingdom. “It has affected 25 percent of the population and 50 percent of men and women who have crossed 50,” he added.

Dr. Al-Ahwal said a diabetic can be found in every house in Saudi Arabia. “According to the latest statistics issued by the Health Ministry, the number of diabetes patients will reach 4 million in 2030,” he said.

The chairman of the scientific committee said the conference was aimed at enhancing public awareness about diabetes and how to control it as well as to discuss the latest development in diagnosing and treating the disease.