A NEWPORT surgery has held a health awareness day focusing on diabetes within ethnic minority communities ahead of Ramadan.

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan involves Muslims from around the world fasting during daylight hours for a period of up to 30 days.

Doctors at St Paul’s Clinic have offered advice to members of the community in preparation for the fasting month, which starts on Friday, May 26 and ends on Saturday, June 24.

Dr Modupe Obalinade said the health day was inspired in part due to the prevalence of diabetes in some ethnic minority communities.

“The idea behind the health day is the reach out to the community and to encourage them to be aware of their health and take care of it,” she said.

“We have an emphasis on diabetes as it is quite prevalent in this environment, which is why we are focusing on it.

“We are targeting communities who are preparing to celebrate Ramadan which starts next week.

“Anyone who is diabetes and planning to fast may wish to ask questions.

“It can be difficult to address a lot of the questions during a 10 minute consultation so we have invited an imam along as well as people providing advice on dieting, smoking, alcohol consumption and high blood pressure.

“These are things which can affect your health and imam can tell them if they wish to fast, what they can do,” said Dr Obalinade.

The doctor added for the moment, the health day will only be reaching out to the community surrounding the medical practice.

“Our focus is solely the community in this area of Newport,” added Dr Obalinade.

“We have previously participated in similar schemes in Pill and Eaton Road a few years ago but since Ramadan is around the corner, we wanted to hold this session before it starts.”