Onus of tackling diabetes on all

The initiative by UAE authorities to take concrete steps to tackle diabetes, which has assumed the form of a pandemic, is laudable Though the efforts are dosed with realism (the condition will take years to contain) steps have already been chalked out. Multi-million dirham investments have been made to ensure that awareness levels are heightened and achieved through close cooperation between public and private sectors to reach out to the country's population. The Cabinet has also underlined the importance of this project by declaring 2009 to be the year to fight diabetes.

Whilst the organising of walkathons and handing out of free T-shirts are noble gestures, concrete steps have to be taken at home by families towards ensuring a healthy lifestyle. Diabetes is rampant among children and early detection is vital. Diabetes can be treated through monitoring and discipline. The onus for that, however, rests with all of us.