Bangalore :  MSD Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. (MSD India), a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA, today launched a drive for safe fasting to help people with diabetes during the holy month of Ramadan. As part of its fight against diabetes, MSD has introduced a special app to help guide diabetics through fasting period with the help of blood sugar tracker and tips for diabetes management during the holy month of Ramadan. The ‘Ramadan, Diabetes and Me’ app for iOS and Android users, is designed to address the challenges faced by millions of people with Type 2 Diabetes who fast during Ramadan. While fasting during Ramadan is an important spiritual practice, Diabetes patients need to take special precautions to avoid the risks of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia), high blood glucose (hyperglycemia) and dehydration.

Diabetics while fasting face a high risk of hypoglycemia especially when they are on certain anti-diabetic drugs. Long gaps between food intake along with certain diabetes medications often cause glucose levels to drop, showing symptoms like sweating, dizziness and irritability. When severe, hypoglycemia can also result in mental confusion, antagonistic behaviors, unconsciousness, and even seizures, which makes it necessary to monitor the blood sugar level while fasting. The app offers a Random Blood Sugar (RBS) Tracker and also provides tips regarding diet, exercise and frequent monitoring of blood pressure which help patients to manage their Type 2 diabetes during fasting.

Talking about the app Mr. K.G. Ananthakrishnan, Managing Director, MSD India said, “The drive by MSD is in line with our comprehensive approach to address barriers to diabetes treatment and our commitment to patients. The Ramadan, Diabetes & Me app is an effort by MSD to better serve the interest of patients and communities by helping them better manage their diabetes during the holy month of Ramadan.”

The month-long changes in meal times, food, usage of medication and daily lifestyle can affect diabetics. With the use of this app, one can keep track of their blood glucose levels and at the same time also have important medical information handy. The purpose of the app is to help keep patients better controlled while they participate in the important spiritual practice.

More than 50 Million people with diabetes fast during Ramadan and it is very important to take care of the glucose level. Recommending the app, Dr Shehla Shaikh, DM, Endocrinologist, Mumbai said: “Diabetes patients need to take special care and precautions while fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. It is very important to keep a check on the blood sugar levels and this is where the app from MSD – Ramadan, Diabetes and Me – acts as a guide.”

Stressing on the need to keep track of sugar levels, Prof. Abdul Hamid Zargar, DM, Member Institute Body, AIIMS, New Delhi, Chairman, Independent Ethics Committee Fortis – Escorts Hospital & Research Centre, New Delhi, Past president, Endocrine Society of India said : “During the holy month of Ramadan, Diabetes patients should take appropriate care and precautions as with fasting the risks of extreme fluctuations in blood glucose levels and dehydration increase.”

Key Features of the app

First free app on iOS & Android specially designed to help diabetics have a healthy and safe Ramadan.

It is available in 3 languages Hindi, English & Arabic

Random Blood Sugar (RBS) Tracker allows patients to easily report their RBS values to their Health Care Provider

Provides tips regarding diet, exercise and frequent monitoring of blood pressure

Daily prayer and sunset time.

Qibla compass to locate prayer direction, based on the user’s location.

Information on when to break the fast during Ramadan.

Provides information on healthy eating habits.

Alarm setting for the beginning and conclusion of the daily fast (Suhr and Iftar)

Questions to ask your healthcare providers in preparation for Ramadan