One in five UAE residents is diabetic

Dubai: Diabetes is one of the biggest killers in the country, warns an expert adding that increased urbanisation, rise in obesity, sedentary lifestyles and stress are some of the top factors that contribute to the growing incidence of the disease globally.

As the scourge of diabetes sweeps across the region, awareness campaigns are gathering momentum to educate the masses against the dangers of the disease. This year private sector is being actively involved in campaigns to tackle the condition.

"The population is sitting on a ticking time-bomb," Dr Gaida Mohammad Kaddaha, consultant diabetologist and spokesperson for the Rashid Hospital, said.

"Almost 20 per cent of the total population in the UAE is diabetic, which effectively means one in every five persons has diabetes. While that number is worrying enough, the biggest concern is the alarming rise of misconceptions and the low levels of awareness among the public with regard to the consequences of this disease," she said.

Global problem

The statistics confirm the fact: the syndrome of diabetes is a global problem. With over 250 million patients worldwide and the number set to increase to 300 million by the year 2025, seven out of the ten nations most affected with diabetes are developing and only three developed.

Further outlining the magnitude of the problem is the fact that over 24 per cent of the total population in the UAE is in the pre-diagnosis stage while approximately 50 per cent remains undiagnosed.

Health organisations, aided by the government, are moving fast to spread awareness to the masses.

"As far as the Rashid Hospital is concerned, we actively participate in awareness drives that educate people about diabetes and the corresponding health complications that could ensue should they not exercise caution.

Detailing the reasons behind the wide prevalence of diabetes in the region, Gaida lays the blame on a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

"While you can't really do much if you are carrying the diabetic gene, the environmental aspects such as diet and exercise can go a long way in arresting the impact that diabetes can have on the health of the local population. We have tried to drive home the close relationship between obesity and diabetes and we caution people against eating energy-dense food that is high in sugar."

"Type-2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in the UAE and this can largely be linked to the sedentary lifestyle that has become more dominant in recent years. DHCC is very keen to engage the community proactively on the prevention and management of diabetes. In fact, this month, we are participating in the ‘Know Diabetes' campaign that includes activities in malls such as awareness sessions and free diabetes screening, as well as talks and workshops through business organisations for their staff. A mobile unit for further screenings will also be deployed during the campaign," Dr Ayesha Abdullah, Executive Director of Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC).

With the momentum on raising public awareness gathering pace, big business houses in the UAE are also getting increasingly involved to combat the disease.

Landmark Group is organising the Beat Diabetes Walkathon to commemorate the World Diabetes Day. The event is aimed at spreading awareness about diabetes across all countries that the group operates in.

The community outreach initiative hopes to attract almost 7,000 UAE residents.