8 November 2009
Unhealthy habits contributed by abundance of wealth and access to easier options in food and lifestyle are compounding the problem, further stretching healthcare systems and budgets in the UAE, said Dr Abdurrazak Al Madani, president of Emirates Diabetes Society and CEO of Dubai Hospital during the opening session at the Emirates Diabetes Congress 2009.
Attendees at the congress were told that an estimated $100-200 million is being spent by the UAE annually on the treatment of diabetes. To combat the high prevalence and spending in the region, the GCC countries recently adopted the Diabetes Executive Plan.
“The UAE healthcare sector has already made significant strides in achieving the goals of the GCC Diabetes Executive Plan, aimed to increase awareness on the risks as well as management and prevention of the disease,” Dr Al Madani said.
The United Arab Emirates also has the dubious distinction of having the second largest incidence of diabetes in the world, with more than 20 per cent of the population estimated to be diabetic. According to the Ministry of Health statistics diabetes-related heart problems were the biggest killer in the country in 2008, accounting for 31.6 per cent of deaths.
“We certainly have a growing problem. The epidemic has to be addressed immediately. There have been huge strides and innovations in diabetes (management) and they continue to happen. It is our collective responsibility to understand, learn and share these new developments,” Dr Fatheya Al Awadhi, Congress Chairperson, said welcoming the delegates.
The two-day Congress, being held the Grand Hyatt will discuss recent advances and best practices in the detection, prevention and treatment of diabetes, especially among high risk groups, including pregnant women, children and the obese.
Opened by Dr Salim Al Darmaki, Acting Director General of the Ministry of Health, the congress is organised by the Emirates Medical Association in connection with the World Diabetes Day, which falls on November 14.
