Laayoune Hosts the First Diabetes Village
Certainly! Here’s a polished translation of the provided French article into fluent, high-quality English:
Laayoune: First Diabetes Village Initiative
Laayoune: At the initiative of the Moroccan Society of Diabetology, in partnership with the Wilaya of the Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra region and the Novo Nordisk laboratory, the city of Laâyoune will host the first edition of the Diabetes Village on November 14. This event is organized in conjunction with the national celebrations of the Green March and in honor of World Diabetes Day. Under the theme "Together for a Better Life for Diabetics," this national event follows the recent United Nations resolution acknowledging the autonomy plan in the Southern provinces.
Type 2 diabetes is a major public health concern in Morocco, currently affecting approximately 2.6 million people. The complications associated with this illness, such as cardiovascular and kidney diseases, make adequate management crucial.
Through this initiative, the SMD and Novo Nordisk aim to intersect health, citizenship, and territorial development, positioning the Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra region at the center of an inclusive health movement. This effort aligns with the high directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, regarding social justice, equal access to care, and the promotion of health for all. It sends a strong message advocating for localized health focused on prevention, solidarity, and inclusion.
The Diabetes Village will offer a wide range of activities throughout the day for both people living with diabetes and the general public: specialized consultations, free screenings, hemoglobin A1c testing, as well as psychological and educational support provided by qualified professionals. Therapeutic education workshops will enable patients to better understand their disease, adopt appropriate daily routines, and strengthen their autonomy in managing diabetes.
Simultaneously, awareness and prevention initiatives will target non-diabetics, focusing on major risk factors such as unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, overweight, and hypertension. The objective is clear: to detect early, prevent better, and provide ongoing support by addressing behaviors and lifestyle habits.
Based on a participatory approach, the Diabetes Village aims to be a space for dialogue and listening, where health professionals, local organizations, and citizens can freely discuss issues related to diabetes and well-being.
Dr. Sonia Abahou, president of the Moroccan Society of Diabetology (SMD), stated: “At the Diabetes Village in Laâyoune, the SMD reaffirms its commitment: to prevent, detect, and improve diabetes management throughout the national territory. Through local screenings, specialized consultations, therapeutic education sessions, and partnerships with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, local stakeholders, and private partners, we are implementing concrete actions. Our goal is to train and support professionals, stimulate research, and make prevention a collective reflex. Diabetes is fought through unity: authorities, healthcare providers, private actors, and citizens must work together to reduce the impact of the disease and preserve quality of life.”
For the regional medical teams, this event holds particular significance. “Hosting the first edition of the Diabetes Village in Laâyoune is a strong symbol for our region and our patients. Diabetes is a daily reality, and many cases are still diagnosed too late, with established complications. By bringing together consultations, screenings, education workshops, and awareness activities in one space, we’re providing citizens with a unique opportunity to assess their health, ask questions, and leave with practical advice to improve their quality of life,” explained Prof. Yousra Ghanimi, head of the endocrinology-diabetology department at the Laâyoune University Hospital.
A long-time partner in the fight against diabetes, Novo Nordisk brings its expertise, educational resources, and operational support to this initiative. “Diabetes is a chronic disease impacting millions of people. With early detection, appropriate support, and quality therapeutic education, it is possible to live better with the disease and prevent many complications. By supporting the Diabetes Village in Laâyoune, Novo Nordisk reaffirms its commitment to bringing prevention and care closer to citizens, even in areas outside major urban centers. We believe that initiatives like this, built in partnership with the SMD and local healthcare teams, can truly influence the trajectory of diabetes in Morocco,” stated Dr. Olla Al Refai, general director of Novo Nordisk Morocco.
Through this inaugural edition of the Diabetes Village in Laâyoune, the Moroccan Society of Diabetology and Novo Nordisk are taking a new step in their commitment to public health. Far from being just a medical event, this gathering aims to foster genuine human connection, driven by a clear objective: to make prevention and health education accessible to all, from the North to the South of the Kingdom, and to make the fight against diabetes a shared cause for society as a whole.
This translation captures the original article’s essence while ensuring that it reads naturally in English.
