UAE’s diabetes fight and unified payment scheme for India and UAE, Gulf News Editors comment on October 6 trending news

RED CARD TO DIABETES: The UAE has embarked on a battle against pre-diabetes with the launch of the ‘Show the Red Card to Diabetes’ campaign. A collaborative endeavour between health authorities and private entities, it aims to prevent the progression of pre-diabetic individuals to full-blown diabetes. Mass free screening programmes will be conducted nationwide at workplaces, followed by targeted interventions through lifestyle modifications to mitigate the risk factors. A toll-free number, 800DIABEAT, is also set to help facilitate workplace screenings in addition to screenings at primary health centres. The campaign employs the haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) test to identify pre-diabetes. By focusing on prevention and early intervention, the campaign is a significant step towards a healthier future for the nation. (By Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor)

UAE, INDIA UNITE ON PAYMENT PLATFORM: The UAE and India have collaborated to launch a Domestic Card Scheme (DCS) in the UAE, adopting India’s RuPay card technology as a model. An agreement has been inked between Emirati-based Al Etihad Payments (EAP) and India’s NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) to develop and implement the DCS. DCS will be the nation’s first unified, secure, and efficient card payment platform, similar to international payment processing companies such as Mastercard and Visa. The primary goal is to create a unified, safe, and efficient card payment platform. This will stimulate e-commerce growth, improve financial inclusion, reduce payment expenses, and enhance the UAE’s global competitiveness in the payments industry. (By Nivetha Dayanand, Web Editor)

RISING CASES OF DENGUE: Climate change brings more than higher temperatures, floods and wildfires. WHO’s chief scientist has said that dengue fever will become a major threat in parts of the US, Europe and Africa this decade as warmer temperatures create ideal conditions for mosquitoes carrying the infection to spread. This is a cause for concern. More than 4.2 million cases of dengue were reported worldwide in 2022, with about 20,000 deaths each year. This calls for preparation in terms of clinical care so that hospitals are not taken unawares when cases surge. All this brings the focus back on climate change, with the onus on us to roll it back. (By Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor)

NIGHT OF THE ARABIC MUSICAL: On Thursday night, the cast and crew of the Arab musical ‘Sukkar’ enjoyed a red-carpet premiere in Dubai. Inspired by American writer Jean Webster’s ‘Daddy-Long-Legs’, the lavish production is touted as the Arab world’s first few musical movies to enjoy a theatrical release. Director Tamer Mahdy told Gulf News it was a significant moment in his career because it isn’t easy. He called it his riskiest venture because he wasn’t sure if the emotions he was trying to convey through the musical would hit home. The tale of a bunch of children in an orphanage is high on drama, but no matter what the verdict, it’s commendable that Arab cinema is growing from strength to strength. The excitement in the air made it clear that the guests enjoyed the song and dance spectacle. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)

KIWI TWIST IN THE SCRIPT: Heroes are born at every Cricket World Cup. Young New Zealand allrounder Rachin Ravindra is the newest one on the block. The 23-year-old struck an unbeaten century on his World Cup debut against defending champions England. His performance is typical of New Zealand’s strong fortitude in the face of tremendous odds. The Kiwis are known to give a twist to the tale, which makes the World Cup 2023 script interesting. (By A.K.S. Satish, Sports Editor)