Senegal has become the first Francophone country to pilot a mobile phone platform, called mRamadan, which helps people with diabetes safely manage their health while fasting. Diabetics who are testing the new app say it has been quite helpful.
Diabetics in Senegal can now receive -- for the first time -- free, daily text messages with recommendations for fasting before, during and after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
"mRamadan," is part of the Be He@lthy Be Mobile program, a joint initiative by the World Health Organization and the International Telecommunication Union that aims to help countries fight non-communicable diseases.
The goal of mRamadan is to help diabetic patients in Senegal safely manage their illness and reduce the number of emergency hospitalizations that normally peak during Ramadan.
Marie Gadio, 26, who was diagnosed with diabetes at age 13, said living with diabetes during Ramadan is not easy.
"It is sometimes difficult because here in Senegal the majority of people are Muslims and because of that no one is eating during the day," she said. "Certain diabetics just fast as they want, without knowing anything, but now our technology is developing and people can take advice from this program."
While Islam exempts anyone too young, old, pregnant, or not in good health from fasting, many diabetics say they do try to abstain from food and drink during Ramadan. They also sometimes stop taking insulin injections, which are needed to regulate blood glucose levels.
Dr. Maimouna Ndour Mbaye, a professor of internal medicine and diabetology who works at the Marc Sankale National Diabetes Center in Dakar, said diabetics can face a number of complications while fasting.
Bütün xəbərlər Facebook səhifəmizdə
USD
EUR
GBP
RUB