Dubai promises support to fight silent killer

Dubai: A senior health official said Dubai is taking a multi-disciplinary strategy to control diabetes and its serious complications and pledged support for the fight against the disease.

Qadi Saeed Al Murooshid, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) then released blue helium balloons into the skies. The blue circle is a global symbol of the fight against diabetes. Across nations, the circle symbolises life and health and the colour blue reflects the sky that unites all nations. The symbol was adopted after the 2007 UN Diabetes Day resolution was passed.

He said he would like to assure people of Dubai the DHA is well aware of the scale of this condition locally and globally, and the Authority will work at all levels to contain it. The director said people can be assured that Dubai provides the very best treatment in diabetes care and management.

The DHA will continue with the theme ‘Diabetes Education and Prevention' until next year and continue to raise awareness about this disease through public awareness campaigns, he said. The director urged people to understand the seriousness of this condition and be aware of the importance of early diagnosis to prevent severe complications the disease is known to cause. "We would like to urge the public to empower themselves through education about this disease," he said.

Al Murooshid said Dubai has won the bid to host the prestigious International Diabetes Congress next year. "It will help reach out to a vast number of people in the UAE and internationally."

Dr Mohammad Farghaly, head of Community Care, Public Health Centres, said the first phase of the screening of the Dubai population was completed recently. He said a majority of people can themselves prevent the disease through a change in lifestyle. He said that according to the Atlas of the International Diabetes Federation, 18.6 per cent of the UAE population is diabetic.

Today, November 14, has been designated as World Diabetes Day.