UAE launches major diabetes awareness campaign

DIABETES MELLITUS: Now reaching epidemic proportions in the Gulf. (Getty Images)

UAE health minister Mr Humaid Al Qutami and Mr Jean-Marc Voissier, General Manager of Sanofi-aventis pharmaceuticals Gulf, signed a contract on Sunday to launch an extensive three year diabetes and atherothrombosis awareness campaign.

The contract was signed during a press conference at His Excellency’s office at the Abu Dhabi Ministry of Health.

Diabetes Mellitus (type 2) and atherothrombosis are currently among the most prevalent diseases in the UAE. According to recent media reports, 1 out of every 4 people in the UAE is diabetic. Many diabetics die of atherothrombosis - a condition characterised by stroke or sudden heart failure.

“This campaign represents our commitment to the federal government strategy which promotes solid partnerships between government and private institutions to strive to better the wellbeing of our community and protect public health.” said Mr Qutami.

''The core objective of this initiative is to enhance awareness levels through education in an attempt to reduce disease incidence levels.

''We are committed to this partnership and to continually securing better healthcare services to all UAE nationals and expatriates,'' he added. 

The minister also described the initiative as ‘very crucial’ specifically to the UAE region, since it has the second highest diabetes incidence rate in the world.

''This initiative is comprehensive, tactical and, most importantly, practical to implement. Diabetes and atherothrombosis are preventable lifestyle diseases, and so the key achievement of this campaign will be the prevention and management of diabetes through education,'' Mr Qutami said.

The three year campaign targets patients, physicians and most importantly, the public.

The main pillar of the campaign begins with targeting school children, using a concept labeled ‘The Right Beginning’ which focuses on reducing cardio-metabolic risk factors in upcoming generations by promoting a healthier lifestyle within the school education system.

Regular screening, accurate filing and assessment of medical records will be given top priority in order to identify emerging risk factors in each child.

In regards to patient care, the campaign will organise consistent Patient Support Programs to encourage dialogue among patients on available treatment plans, lifestyle changes in terms of diet and exercise, and provide emotional support.

Physician Support Programs will also be implemented and will play a crucial role in the overall success of the campaign. Private and public physicians in the UAE will be exposed to the latest advancements in diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.

Continuous Medical Education (CME) will be an essential component of the partnership. CME’s will be made available to physicians through different state-of-the-art options.

''The Ministry and Sanofi-aventis will work side-by-side to battle diabetes and atherothrombosis. We have developed the best physician and patient care programs.

''We will work on raising awareness for future generations, providing the latest in research to the clinics in order to birth a unified working strategy to reduce the incidence of these diseases.” said Dr Ali Bin Shakar, General Manager, UAE Ministry of Health.

He further added that fighting diabetes is a crucial aspect of the UAE’s national strategy. A dedicated team will be assigned to handle implementation, assessment and consistent updating of the grand elements of the strategy.

''As a socially responsible player, Sanofi-aventis is committed to working with the UAE Ministry of Health to enhance the wellbeing and standard of living of our society as a whole.

''Considering the alarming state of diabetes prevalence in the UAE, we have dedicated massive efforts to provide the best possible tools in order to increase awareness, medical practice development and patient education not only with regards to diabetes but also cardio-vascular diseases,'' said Sanofi-adventis' Jean-Marc Voissier.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Diabetes in UAE
Posted by Sue, Dubai, UAE on Wednesday 4 November 2009 at 17:46 UAE time


It really is alarming that the incidence of diabetes is so prevalent here in UAE. I am currently assisting with the distribution of a wallet designed to keep insulin cool outside of the fridge for a minimum of 45 hours even in the extreme heat in the Middle East, it has been proven to be 100% effective in keepiong medication cool and safe.

How to avoid Diabetes and other lifestyle diseases
Posted by Elizabeth, Dubai, UAE on Monday 16 March 2009 at 07:47 UAE time


This is great, but I notice the campaign is focusing on awareness, medical practice development and patient education. The latter two are not preventing Diabetes, but rather activities to treat it, when the patients are already ill. Awareness sounds like knowledge about the illness itself, not the cause. The reason why people suffer from Diabetes here, and other alarmingly increasing diseases like cancers, heart attacks etc is NO ONE: A very bad diet, consisting of processed food, especially fast-food, which contain a lot of sugar, salt, MSG and other chemicals. Light products are also unhealthy (few know this!) as they contain artificial sweeteners, which increase the production of hunger hormones (like Ghrelin. Google it and be scared).

What is needed is an easy-read, easy accessible information on what to eat, together with lots of lectures at schools, health clinics, and wherever parents gather. To inform of the health pyramid, what the ingredients do and do not for your body (macro- and micronutrients, like proteins and vitamins). It is devastating to see obese children here. They will die early after lots of suffering, just because their parents don't know what they are doing through their diets! Kids that eat chips and ready made sweets and bars for lunch, together with so-called juices (packed with sugar) are getting a bad start of their day, and the rest of their life. I am the author of SUPERFOOD in Norway, and tried several times to get the attention of the health authorities here, with no luck. I am more than willing to contribute to this campaign. Lifestyle diseases are the number one killer in the wealthy parts of the world. It is EASY to avoid.

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