Diabetes nursing group creates leaflet on safety in Ramadan
A new leaflet has been published by a team of specialist nurses to help ensure the safety of Muslim people with diabetes as they observe fasting during Ramadan.
Trend Diabetes said it had developed its first Ramadan and Diabetes leaflet to help people living with the long-term condition to safely participate with fasting in the holy month.
“This leaflet underscores our commitment to ensuring that individuals living with diabetes can observe the holy month safely”
June James
The 8-page leaflet has been designed to help people with diabetes to understand how to manage their glucose levels, as well as how to manage their food and fluids intake.
Information on how to manage glucose testing and how to manage non-insulin treatments during Ramadan is also included in the leaflet, which covers both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
In addition, the leaflet outlines when Muslim people with diabetes who are fasting during Ramadan should seek assistance from a healthcare professional.
It also notes that people with diabetes who wish to fast during Ramadan and are taking insulin should contact their healthcare professional team.
Every year the Muslim population look forward to the appearance of the new crescent moon that signals the first day of Ramadan.
This time of fasting and celebration occurs in the ninth and most holy month of the Islamic calendar.
This year, Ramadan will run from on or around Sunday 10 March, for 29 or 30 days.
June James, co-chair of Trend Diabetes and independent consultant in diabetes nursing, said: “I am thrilled to announce that we have developed our first Ramadan and diabetes leaflet – a significant milestone for our nursing group.
“This leaflet underscores our commitment to ensuring that individuals living with diabetes can observe the holy month safely and with the support they need,” she said.
Fellow co-chair Debbie Hicks, also an independent nurse consultant, said: “Our new leaflet not only prioritises the safety of individuals with diabetes during the sacred month but also serves as a crucial tool for healthcare professionals.
“Our leaflet equips healthcare teams with the knowledge and insights needed to support people living with diabetes who wish to fast,” she said.
Ms Hicks will discuss how Muslim people with diabetes can safely fast during Ramadan in the next Trend Diabetes podcast, which will be released next week.
