The National Diabetes Centre at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) will hold a community diabetes screening programme on Friday to promote early detection of the disease and raise awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The screening programme will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on 10 July at the Malé Social Centre. IGMH stated that the initiative aims to encourage early diagnosis and help reduce the growing burden of diabetes in the Maldives.

A range of free health services will be available during the programme, including height, weight and body mass index (BMI) assessments, blood pressure and blood sugar testing, healthy eating advice, and consultations with healthcare professionals on diabetes prevention and management.

IGMH said entertainment activities will also be organised for children attending the event.

Health experts have consistently stressed that early detection plays a key role in preventing serious complications associated with diabetes. The disease remains one of the most common non-communicable diseases in the Maldives.