Laayoune Hosts the First Diabetes Village
Laayoune: Inaugural Diabetes Village Event
Laayoune: On November 14, the city of Laayoune will host the inaugural Diabetes Village, an initiative by the Moroccan Society of Diabetology in partnership with the Wilaya of the Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra region and Novo Nordisk. This event continues the festivities of the national Green March celebrations and coincides with World Diabetes Day. Under the theme "Together for a Better Life for Diabetics," this significant national event follows the recent United Nations resolution endorsing autonomy plans in the Southern provinces.
Type 2 diabetes is a major public health concern in Morocco, currently affecting approximately 2.6 million individuals. The associated complications, such as cardiovascular and kidney diseases, underscore the critical need for proper management of this condition.
Through this initiative, the SMD and Novo Nordisk aim to converge health, citizenship, and territorial development, placing the Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra region at the center of inclusive health dynamics. This effort aligns with the high directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, regarding social justice, equitable access to healthcare, and the promotion of health for all. It sends a strong message advocating for community health focused on prevention, solidarity, and inclusion.
The Diabetes Village will offer a wide array of activities throughout the day, catering to both individuals living with diabetes and the general public. Services will include specialized consultations, free screenings, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing, and psychological and educational support provided by qualified professionals. Therapeutic education workshops will enable patients to better understand their condition and adopt daily strategies to enhance their autonomy in managing diabetes.
Simultaneously, awareness and prevention actions will target non-diabetic individuals, focusing on key risk factors such as poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyles, overweight status, and hypertension. The clear objective is to enable early detection, enhance prevention efforts, and provide sustainable support by influencing behaviors and lifestyle habits.
The Diabetes Village is based on a participative approach, serving as a space for exchange and dialogue among healthcare professionals, local associations, and citizens concerning diabetes-related issues 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 preventing, screening, and improving diabetes management across the nation. 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 aim is to train and support professionals, stimulate research, and make prevention a collective reflex. Diabetes must be fought collectively: authorities, healthcare providers, private stakeholders, and citizens must work together to reduce the disease’s impact and safeguard quality of life.”
For regional medical teams, this event holds special significance. “Hosting the first Diabetes Village in Laâyoune is a powerful symbol for our region and our patients. Diabetes is a daily reality here, with many cases diagnosed too late, resulting in established complications. By consolidating consultations, screenings, education workshops, and awareness initiatives in one space, we offer citizens 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 longstanding partner in the fight against diabetes, Novo Nordisk contributes its expertise, educational resources, and operational support to this initiative. “Diabetes is a chronic condition affecting millions. With early detection, tailored support, and quality therapeutic education, individuals can 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, including those outside major urban centers. We believe that initiatives like this, built in collaboration with the SMD and local healthcare teams, can truly impact the trajectory of diabetes in Morocco,” said Dr. Olla Al Refai, general director of Novo Nordisk Morocco.
Through this inaugural Diabetes Village in Laâyoune, the Moroccan Society of Diabetology and Novo Nordisk take another step forward in their commitment to public health. More than just a medical event, this gathering aims to foster human connections centered around a clear goal: making prevention and health education accessible to everyone, from North to South across the Kingdom, and turning the fight against diabetes into a shared societal cause.
