A new Saudi healthcare app looks to solve the obesity epidemic

We are surrounded by problems but it is those who are brave enough that see them as opportunities to be seized. With this simple approach, it is not surprising to see the success story of Sami Al Hussayen and Fouad Al Farhan, the two Saudis who brought us the open learning platform Rawq.

Now, following on from their success (they have over 300,000 registered users in 172 countries) in investing in the community and education, the two have taken a step into the healthcare sector with Junnah. Launched in December 2014 at an event in Jeddah, the Arabic health and fitness platform offers online scientific training programs to prevent and deal with popular diseases in the Arab world, through which users can follow a given diet and workout plan.

A quarter of the Saudi population has diabetes and 35% is obese

According to The Economist, a quarter of Saudis suffer from diabetes while 35% are obese. People currently affected with the illness in the Kingdom are estimated at 3 million, and 150,000 new diabetes cases are diagnosed each year. The metabolic disease which causes high levels of sugar in the blood is the number one cause of lower-limb amputations in the country, with 6,000 diabetes patients go through the process each year.

Moreover, diabetes is considered the second leading cause of death in the country, with 42 daily death cases resulting from diabetes complications, and more than 200,000 annual deaths.

It is also a costly disease, for both patient and health sector – total direct costs for diabetes amount to 12 billion Saudi Riyals (about $3.1 billion USD) per year, and total indirect costs amounting to 88 billion riyals per year, meaning that diabetes is costing the government a yearly amount of 100 billion riyals.

These figures are frightening and worrisome; however, the cofounders perceived them as an opportunity to be exploited – Junnah. They made a plan to address many illnesses, starting with diabetes. They are also working on a plan to offer a lifestyle that includes a healthy and balanced diet, along with exercises, with the help of a group of specialists. The platform automatically monitors the activities of users through smart devices and wearables, all through a social network that allows for the exchange of experiences and motivation.

Original article by Safar Ayad

Continue reading at Wamda:

A new Saudi healthcare app looks to solve the obesity epidemic