(MENAFN- Arab News) To mark the World Diabetes Day 2014 the Emirates Diabetes Society joins with diabetes associations and patients from across the Middle East to discuss the need for social support and patient-to-patient communication with a group of My Diabetes Story patient ambassadors from Saudi Arabia the UAE Jordan Lebanon Qatar and Iran.

Answering the need for increased patient-to-patient communication the launch of My Diabetes Story an online patient community endorsed by major diabetes associations and Sanofi was announced during the event. Led by diabetics the community offers a platform where patients will be able to discuss the issues that matter the most to them and share tips and recommendations on how to management their condition.

During the event patient ambassadors and associations alike highlighted the need for such platforms to provide better diabetes life management catering to the 24 percent of the population in Saudi Arabia who live with the disease.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that the incidence of diabetes is expected to rise from 34.6 million in 2013 to 67.9 million by 2035 in the MENA which equates to 14 percent of the MENA region.

Professor Abdulrahman Al-Shaikh head of Saudi Scientific Diabetes Society said: 'We have realized the importance of patient-to-patient communication and social support for people with diabetes and aim to provide them with comprehensive solutions for their daily struggle with diabetes.'

Doaa Saifaldeen a diabetes patient ambassador in the Kingdom said: 'Patient and family support remains the backbone for those who have developed the condition'

Rami Awad a diabetes patient ambassador in the Kingdom said: 'With the My Diabetes Story online platform diabetics finally get the chance to address their questions.'

Dr. Pius Hornstein Sanofi VP Turkey & Middle East said: 'At Sanofi we recognize the need to go beyond medication and therapies.