Doha, Qatar: A total of 267 children and other beneficiaries with diabetes have received advanced medical devices through a healthcare support initiative jointly funded by the General Directorate of Endowments and the Zakat Affairs Department at Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, helping improve disease management and reduce the risk of complications.
Implemented in partnership with the Qatar Diabetes Association, a member of Qatar Foundation, the initiative provides modern diabetes technologies to patients who are unable to afford the high cost of medical devices and supplies.
Executive Director of the Qatar Diabetes Association Dr. Abdullah Al Hamaq, said the combined support from the General Directorate of Endowments and the Zakat Affairs Department enabled the association to provide medical and assistive devices to 267 beneficiaries from 19 Arab and foreign nationalities.
He said the programme has significantly expanded access to advanced diabetes care technologies, particularly continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, which allow patients to monitor blood sugar levels around the clock.
The devices help reduce episodes of severe high and low blood sugar, improve disease control, and enhance patients’ overall quality of life.
Al Hamaq stressed that the continued endowment-based support eases the financial burden on patients and their families by ensuring sustainable access to medical devices and their essential supplies. This, he said, enables beneficiaries to adhere more effectively to treatment plans and lead normal daily lives.
He praised the generosity of donors and zakat contributors for supporting healthcare initiatives with lasting social impact.
According to Al Hamaq, the programme specifically targets low-income patients who cannot afford the substantial costs of diabetes monitoring equipment and consumables. Since diabetes requires continuous daily monitoring, these expenses can place a heavy financial strain on many families.
He explained that continuous glucose monitoring systems have become one of the most important advances in diabetes treatment, providing real-time glucose readings throughout the day and issuing early alerts when blood sugar levels become dangerously high or low. The technology enables timely intervention before serious complications occur and allows physicians to assess treatment effectiveness and adjust insulin doses more accurately.
He noted that improved monitoring contributes to better long-term blood sugar control while reducing the risk of complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels.
Beyond their medical benefits, Al Hamaq said the devices also provide important psychological and social advantages, particularly for children. They reduce the need for frequent finger-prick testing, give children and their families greater peace of mind, and help young patients attend school regularly and participate confidently in sports and daily activities.
He commended the continued partnership with the General Directorate of Endowments, saying that allocating endowment revenues to the Healthcare Endowment Fund reflects the values of solidarity and social responsibility, while expanding access to modern medical technologies for those most in need.
