FDA's 'Superhero' serves 55,000 and 70 schools

Impressive engagement
By the halfway point of the campaign, "Superhero" had achieved significant success in terms of participation and impact. So far, 392 kids have joined as "Diabetes Friends" at 70 schools (40 public and 30 private). Over 55,000 pupils have benefitted from the numerous events.

Workshops, screenings, and health education
A total of 1,642 awareness sessions were held, with over 33,000 pupils attending. Furthermore, 15,807 diabetes screenings have been conducted as part of the Association's efforts to improve prevention and encourage early diagnosis in the school setting.

Creative competitions
The campaign's enrichment competitions saw a high level of participation, with 290 students submitting 205 creative submissions across six categories. These entries demonstrated both their understanding of health-related concerns and their artistic abilities.

Evaluation phase
Sheikha Mona Al Qasimi, along with committee members As part of the evaluation phase, Sheikha Mona Al Qasimi chairs the committee responsible for reviewing achievement portfolios, with Ms Hessa Al Shareef and Ms Sanaa Asaad serving as committee members. The committee is currently reviewing nominations submitted by supervisory committees and organising brief dialogue sessions with schools to highlight their most notable efforts.

In parallel, the judging panel for enrichment entries, chaired by Ibtisam Al Shayib and comprised of Dr Fatima Al Zarouni, Layla Abu Zikri, and Khalida Majeed, is undergoing a rigorous evaluation procedure to ensure transparency and legitimacy in the outcomes.

Statement from the association’s president
The Friends for Diabetes Association's (FDA)' president, Khawla Tahir Al Haj, stated that the positive response from schools, students, and teaching staff highlights the role of the school community in promoting health awareness.

She stated: "We continue to implement the campaign in accordance with the approved timeline, with a strong focus on maximising its community impact, supporting children and adolescents living with diabetes, advocating for their rights, and enabling them to live positively within a conscious and supportive educational environment."