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Minister seeks support for diabetics
2006-11-08 09:00:47
By Issa Yussuf, Zanzibar
Zanzibar Minister for Health and Social Welfare Sultani Mohamed Mugheiry has appealed to Zanzibaris to help diabetic people by participating in a charity walk organised to mark the World Diabetic Day next week.
The occasion is expected to raise money for the construction of a modern diabetic clinic in Zanzibar.
Mugheiry made the appeal yesterday when receiving 300 T-shirts and caps from prominent businessman Mohamed Raza.
The T-shirts and caps will be won during the charity walk to be held mid this month.
”We applaud Raza for his support, and I also ask other people to present their donations to support the diabetic,” Mugheiry said.
Handing over the items worth about 3m/-, Raza promised to continue supporting the development of health services in the isles.
The diabetic charity walk is intended to raise about 700m/- for the construction of ”Mwanakwerekwe diabetic centre” where all cases concerning diabetes would be dealt with.
According to Diabetic Association of Zanzibar (DAZ), the increase of reported cases of diabetes in the isles was an indication of increased awareness about the disease.
Dr Faiza Kassim Suleiman, who is in charge of the diabetic clinic at the Mnazi Mmoja Hospital, said there was a shortage of some essential drugs.
”We have good stock of insulin medicine, but there is a shortage of some other drugs,” Dr Kassim said as the minister promised to solve the problem as soon as possible.
Dr Kassim said that Zanzibar had about 6,000 patients in both Unguja and Pemba.
Mnazi Mmoja Hospital alone has about 2,000 registered patients, he said.
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