The city of Laayoune hosted the first edition of the “Diabetes Village” on November 14, an initiative launched by the Moroccan Diabetes Association in partnership with the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region and Novo Nordisk. This health event coincided with the national celebrations of the Green March anniversary and the World Diabetes Day, adding a symbolic dimension that reflects the commitment of various stakeholders to enhance health awareness and reinforce values of solidarity.
The national event was held under the theme “Together for a Better Life for Diabetes Sufferers,” amid a national context marked by the United Nations’ adoption of a resolution supporting the autonomy plan for the southern regions, adding further significance to the meeting by highlighting the importance of supporting development and well-being in the area.
Type 2 diabetes represents one of the prominent health challenges in the kingdom, affecting approximately 2.6 million Moroccans according to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. The disease is associated with serious complications like cardiovascular diseases and kidney failure, underscoring the importance of prevention, early detection, and quality medical care.
This initiative aims to spotlight the vital role of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region within the national preventive health strategy, aligning with royal directives aimed at ensuring the right to health and equal access to medical services. It also emphasizes the necessity of building a health system that is close to citizens, founded on values of prevention and inclusion.
Throughout the day, the “Diabetes Village” offered a range of health services, including specialized consultations, free examinations, and monitoring of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), alongside psychological and educational support. Workshops on therapeutic education were also conducted to help patients understand the nature of the disease and develop skills for daily management.
In parallel, individuals without diabetes benefited from awareness programs addressing risk factors associated with the disease, such as poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and obesity, fostering a culture of prevention and early detection within the community.
This initiative created an interactive space for exchanging experiences among health professionals, civil society representatives, and citizens, discussing ways to tackle the disease’s spread and improve community health in the region.
Dr. Sonia Abahou, president of the Moroccan Diabetes Association, stated that the event embodies the association’s commitment to prevention and improving care for patients, with efforts to expand screening, consultations, and education across various regions. She emphasized that combating diabetes is a shared responsibility requiring cooperation among authorities, health professionals, the private sector, and civil society.
For her part, Professor Yasmina Ghanimi, head of the endocrinology and diabetes department at the Laayoune University Hospital, highlighted the significance of the city hosting this health event, pointing out that many cases are only discovered at advanced stages. She noted that consolidating various services in one space offers citizens a valuable opportunity to assess their health status and obtain accurate scientific advice.
Dr. Ola Al-Rifai, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Morocco, explained that diabetes is a common chronic disease that can be managed with early detection, medical follow-up, and therapeutic education. She affirmed that the company’s support for the village aligns with its commitment to bringing care services closer to citizens, both in major cities and rural areas.
With the launch of the first edition of “Diabetes Village,” the Moroccan Diabetes Association and Novo Nordisk have established a new milestone in advancing public health through an event that combines medical and humanitarian dimensions, striving to make the fight against diabetes a collective responsibility.
The Moroccan Diabetes Association is a national non-profit organization composed of specialists and professionals in the field, aiming to improve disease management and prevention through continuous training, encouraging scientific research, organizing awareness campaigns, and coordinating efforts to ensure a unified vision in combating this ailment.
