A UNIVERSITY of Dundee spinout company specialising in diabetes care is helping Muslims with the condition to fast safely during Ramadan.
"Diabetes and Ramadan" was produced by MyWay Digital health, in response to the increased risk of serious health complications faced by people with diabetes who wish to fast.
Many of these complications, which include low blood sugar, diabetic ketoacidosis and dehydration, can be prevented by managing your body to mitigate the risks of fasting, while medication can also be used.
However, patients can lack understanding of these issues and healthcare professionals can fail to appreciate how Ramadan impacts on people with diabetes.
Two free online courses – one aimed at Muslims with diabetes and their families/carers observing Ramadan and the other for healthcare professionals – will take place on Tuesday, March 7 and Wednesday, March 8.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide, who won't eat or drink during the hours of daylight.
It is thought to teach self-discipline and reminds Muslims of the suffering of people less fortunate than them.
MyWay ran a pilot of the project prior to Ramadan 2022, with both patients and doctors reporting benefits.
Dr Salman Waqar, president of BIMA, said: “The holy month of Ramadan is extremely important to Muslims around the world. It is a month of much benefit but for some people, such as those with diabetes, there are obstacles to navigate.
“It is not only patients who may not know how to best adapt. Doctors and nurses may not understand all the issues around Ramadan, especially in a country like the UK where Muslims form a minority, and professionals may not have been taught this in their training.
“Put all together, this can lead to inequalities in how Muslims with diabetes experience healthcare.”
MyWay grew out of the My Diabetes My Way (MDMW) app, developed by Drs Scott Cunningham and Debbie Wake at the University of Dundee.
