Dubai walkathon in support of campaign to fight diabetes

Dubai: Approximately 5,000 people are expected to take part in a walkathon in Dubai on Friday in support of a nation-wide campaign to fight diabetes, a corporate director said.

The 3.1-kilometre walkathon will start at Oasis Centre on Shaikh Zayed Road at 8am, but the crowd of people is expected to arrive at 7am to register and get their blood sugar tests done.

Renuka Jagtiani, director of Landmark Group, which is behind the initiative, said Rashid Hospital will conduct the tests tomorrow and on Saturday from 10am to 10pm.

The Ministry of Health has called on corporate houses to join in the fight against the disease.

Oasis Centre will be lit up blue as will famous landmarks around the globe on Saturday to mark World Diabetes Day.

"This is a disease that people can live with if it is handled right," Jagtiani said.

The Joslin Diabetes Centre, affiliate at Dubai Health Authority, will also organise free diabetes check-ups and awareness camp at Gate 5, Safa Park, between 11am to 6pm on Saturday.

There will also be one-on-one sessions by experts on prevention and treatment, free consultation promoting healthier lifestyle and physical activity.

Dr M. Hamed Farooqi, medical director of the centre, said: "One of the key reasons for the staggering percentage in the number of people affected by diabetes in the Gulf region is lack of awareness."