title: Ramadan focused diabetes education; a much needed approach.
abstract: Ramadan Fasting is passionately practiced by millions of Muslims with diabetes across the globe. Structured education is recommended by the various diabetes societies to empower the person with diabetes to better self manage their condition. Indeed, Ramadan focused diabetes education has been shown to be beneficial to Muslim persons with diabetes wishing to fast in the Holy month of Ramadan. Hence, many national and international guidelines stress the importance of Ramadan focused structured education. Such education is targeted at the general public including the religious authorities to raise their awareness about diabetes and Ramadan, healthcare professionals to improve their clinical skills on managing diabetes during Ramadan and most importantly for the person with diabetes to help them to sail through the month of Ramadan safely. Consequently, any educational programme needs to be simple, clear and in the person with diabetes own language. Studies have shown that such a practice whether in a group session or one to one can help to reduce risk of hypoglycaemia and indeed other possible complications. Self-monitoring of blood glucose is a crucial element of Ramadan focused diabetes education to empower the person with the information and help in behaviour change for safer fast during Ramadan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Dubai Hospital, Dubai, UAE.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hassanein