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A journey to create awareness about silent killer diabetes

DUBAI — A team of 16 UAE residents have returned from an inspiring journey to Jordan, stretching their physical and mental abilities, to create awareness about diabetes, the silent killer.

As part of Ibn Battuta Mall’s diabetes awareness initiatives leading up to World Diabetes Day on November 14, the mall sponsored the challenge and two team members chosen from a search with Fitness First to identify active role models for the disease.

The ‘Jewels of Arabia’ challenge, led by Dubai-based adventurer Julie Amer, was a project to spread knowledge about diabetes and its complications in the UAE. The challenge was based on a treasure hunt for hidden pots containing messages relating to diabetes, that were placed across Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum, Petra and near the Dead Sea. To find the pots, the team had to kayak, snorkel, drive on and off road, ride and guide camels, sand-ski and climb the 1,870-metre peak Jebel Um Adaami.

The team, including its youngest member, 22 year-old Emirati Ahmed Al Marri, formed a human circle in the Dead Sea to symbolise the International Diabetes Federation official blue logo for World Diabetes Day and express their commitment as advocates for the disease.

Ibn Battuta Mall recently launched the ‘Unite for Diabetes’ Awareness Centre in the mall’s China Court, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, UAE and the Jebel Ali Hospital, in the lead up to World Diabetes Day on November 14.

In less than 10 days, over 2,000 visitors have taken advantage of the complimentary services and diabetes testing, including free blood sugar test, blood pressure and body mass index check up services.

Diabetes is a global problem with devastating human, social and economic impact. Today, more than 245 million people worldwide are living with diabetes. By 2025 this total is expected to increase to over 380 million people. Each year another seven million people develop diabetes, as per the World Health Organisation.

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