First Lady Madam Sajida Mohamed has stated that wellness is an important blessing for every human being and is closely linked to human safety.
Speaking at the special ceremony marking World Diabetes Day 2024, Sajida said that as the Maldives moved from the list of poor countries to developing countries, and with the change in Maldivians’ lifestyle, diseases related to diet and lifestyle have become more common.
She noted that instead of communicable diseases that were previously common among Maldivians, non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases related to diet and lifestyle have started to become more prevalent.
Extending her well wishes on World Diabetes Day, she mentioned that although diabetes is not a communicable disease, it is hereditary.
She emphasized that the risk of the disease can be reduced by improving lifestyle habits, and that the occurrence and severity of the disease depend on lifestyle and dietary habits.
Furthermore, she highlighted that when the Maldives was on the list of poor countries, Maldivians were more active, ate less, and consumed healthier food. However, now, due to prosperity, the types of food consumed, customs, amount of food intake, and level of physical activity have all changed.
This year’s World Diabetes Day theme set by the International Diabetes Federation is “Diabetes and Wellness,” which focuses on mental, physical, and social well-being.
