Drawing up plans to fight silent killer

The General Authority for Health Services (GAHS) is ready to implement a plan to prevent diabetes.

The Abu Dhabi Diabetes Educational Programme has been drawn up under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The President has said plans to prevent diabetes must be implemented and a centre set up for treatment.

The programme has been prepared by a special committee under the supervision of the Research and Development Division at the GAHS.

It will raise awareness about diabetes and healthy lifestyles, study ways to improve the quality of life for diabetic patients and hold health programmes for children and teenagers with diabetes.

Mohammed Butti Al Qubaisi, director of the office of Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of GAHS and the Abu Dhabi Economic Department, said the plan seeks to set up a research centre on diabetes. A national committee for research will draw up priorities for research and find ways to develop the studies.

Ahmed Al Rumaithi, assistant undersecretary for hospital affairs in Abu Dhabi, said awareness programmes will target the public, with a special focus on categories at risk, diabetic patients and their families, staff working with diabetic patients and health policy-makers.

He said the GAHS will also enhance curative and preventive health systems at all levels, posting more personnel in hospitals and medical centres, enhancing coordination among institutions and unifying policies and standards of health care services for diabetic patients across the country.

A committee will be set up to conduct training courses to achieve this goal. More than 530 consultants, physicians, dieticians, psychiatrists, health instructors, technicians and nurses will be assigned to carry out the plan.