Diabetes Prevention

A screening system that alerts people and medical practitioners of a patient’s diabetes status has been launched in all cities across the country, said Ali Akbar Sayyari, deputy health minister. “After being checked for symptoms of diabetes, people will receive a green card if they are healthy, an orange card if they are at high risk of developing the disease, and a red card if they are in need of immediate intervention,” he said at a function in Tehran on the occasion of World Diabetes Day observed globally on November 14.

The system has been piloted in rural regions and city outskirts for a year. According to director of Iranian Diabetes Society Asadollah Rajab, 12% (9.6 million) of the Iranian population is currently living with some type of diabetes whether or not they are aware of it.