UAE Ministry of Health launches free nationwide diabetes screening campaign
- 06 Oct 2023
Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter
As the non-communicable lifetime disease diabetes is preventable, controllable, and reversible, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHaP), on Thursday, alongside all the relevant authorities across the country, and four private sector partners, launched the first-ever-in-the-world campaign that is beyond data collection and analysis, aimed at assisting the stricken overcome and/or gain quality life.
MoHaP-Public Health Sector undersecretary Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, MoHaP-Non-Communicable Disease & Mental Health Department head Dr. Buthaina Bin Belaila, Emirates Health Services-affiliate Ibrahim Bin Hamad Obaidallah Hospital (Ras Al Khaimah) director Dr. Yousef Al Tair, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre-Community Health Sector executive director Dr. Omniyat Al Hajri, Dubai Academic Health Corporation-Primary Healthcare Sector medical director Dr. Kulaitham Al Mazrouei, Dubai Health Authority-Health Promotion Section head Dr. Hend Al Awadhi, and US drug company Merck Gulf general manager Ahmed Abu El Fadl met the press.
In attendance were officials of the BinSina Pharmacy chain, Al Manzil Healthcare and AlTadawi medical group, also on board in this one-year project. The initial target is 5,000 government and private companies nationwide whose willing employees would be administered the “prick test.”
In his welcome address, Al Rand underscored that the “National Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes Campaign - Let’s Expel Diabetes From Our Lives” - is in line with the UAE Vision 2071, relative to the UAE centennial, geared at having the country become the world’s best; and so steps are undertaken by the future-focused government in the areas of excellent education, diversified knowledge economy, and a happy, healthy and cohesive society.
A review on the recent 1990 to 2021 study covering 204 nations and territories on the prevalence of diabetes worldwide, disclosed that there were an estimated 529 million people living with diabetes as of 2021; based on 27,193 data sources including that of the World Health Organisation.
The July 18, 2023 review over the New Medical Life Sciences website, on the Lancet-published global study, revealed that at least six of 100 worldwide have diabetes. This is projected to climb at 1.31 billion, by 2050. The number one precursor of Type 2 Diabetes is high body mass index.
Thus, the research authors highly recommended the need for more heightened intensified plans against obesity. Identified as the most impacted because of “changing food systems and reduced physical activity” are the Middle East, North Africa, and Oceania where 22 archipelagic countries and Australia are located.
Over Gulf Today’s question concerning the collected and analysed data, Al Rand said these shall be submitted to the UAE National Diabetes Committee comprising representatives of public and private institutions which would decide on strategies to further enhance existing programmes, being implemented, since the release of the UAE National Health Survey 2017 to 2018 in 2019.
The 2017 to 2018 survey showed that “over-all, the highest self-reported raised blood sugar or diabetes was 34.7 per cent among the adult respondents between the ages of 47 and 59.” Among non-Emirati males was 38. 3 per cent, discovered to be into herbal and traditional medications.
On the margins, Belaila said that as the campaign shall reveal the extent of diabetes across the country for which appropriate and up-to-date support and logistical schemes are going to be effected in order to particularly empower the affected subdue the disease and lead engaging lives, the UAE experience shall be shared with the entire world: “These will all be published in a medical journal.”
Interviewed, El Fadl explained that all the health authorities are now in contact with government and private companies for the scheduling of the medical team visit for the “prick test on willing employees. It is not about numbers then full stop.”
The borderline sufferers and those with diabetes would be immediately referred to pertinent public facilities by the UAE health authorities for insurance-related lifestyle change coaching or treatment.
On the Gulf Today query on whether diabetes is quash-able, Al Rand repeated his reminder regarding active lifestyle, healthy eating, and good amount of sleep and rest. Al Tair enumerated existing proven valuable surgeries and medications.
Al Hajri stressed on the willpower to enjoy quality life despite diabetes. Al Mazrouei and Al Awadhi emphasised the significance of the nationwide launched campaign that enables everyone to be responsible for their health.