A mobile phone app, mRamadan, has been developed to help diabetics safely manage their health while fasting during this Ramadan period. Senegal has become the first Francophone country to pilot this mobile phone platform.
With this app, diabetics can now receive – for the first time – free, daily text messages with recommendations for fasting before, during and after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
“mRamadan,” is part of the Be He@lthy Be Mobile program, a joint initiative by the World Health Organization and the International Telecommunication Union that aims to help countries fight non-communicable diseases.
The goal of mRamadan is to help diabetic patients in Senegal safely manage their illness and reduce the number of emergency hospitalizations that normally peak during Ramadan.
Some of the messages include reminding people to drink at least a liter of water each morning before beginning the fast, how to adjust the timing and dosage of diabetes medications, and not to eat too many sugary foods, such as dates, in the evening.
Once Ramadan is over, participants will continue to receive messages about the importance of checking in with a doctor to make sure their diabetes is still well-controlled, and to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
