UAE's Diabetes Screening Campaign Reveals 8.9% at Risk of Disease
In a proactive effort to combat the rising prevalence of diabetes, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) in the UAE has successfully conducted a comprehensive screening campaign. Originally targeting 5,000 residents, the campaign exceeded expectations by reaching over 12,000 individuals in just 100 days.
The screening initiative uncovered a significant number of pre-diabetic and diabetic cases, with 8.9% of screened individuals identified as pre-diabetic. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for preventive measures and lifestyle interventions to curb the growing diabetes epidemic in the country.
Dr Buthaina Bin Belaila, head of the non-communicable diseases and mental health department at Mohap, emphasized the critical importance of addressing pre-diabetes early. She highlighted that early intervention through lifestyle modifications and medical interventions can potentially prevent the progression to full-blown diabetes.
Moreover, the campaign revealed that 1.7% of the screened population had already developed diabetes. The primary goal of the initiative is to identify pre-diabetic individuals and implement measures to convert them to a non-diabetic status. Dr Omniyat Al Hajri, executive director of the community health sector at Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, stressed the crucial role of early detection and intervention in managing and reversing diabetes progression.
While it is still too early to quantify the number of reversed cases, Dr Bin Belaila mentioned that previous initiatives recorded many cases of pre-diabetic patients successfully reversing their condition through proper management. Lifestyle modifications, stress reduction, and healthy eating habits played pivotal roles in these success stories.
Dr Bin Belaila urged individuals aged 18 and above to undergo pre-diabetes testing, emphasizing the potential for reversal with proper management. The ongoing campaign, initiated nearly three months ago, involves screening residents for diabetes and associated risk factors. Over the next six months, pre-diabetic and diabetic individuals will undergo health consultations and follow-ups according to national protocol, aiming to combat the disease effectively.
In Abu Dhabi alone, over 7,000 residents have been screened for diabetes and pre-diabetes since the campaign's inception, conducted by the Department of Health and Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre in collaboration with private partners. Dr Al Hajri emphasized the importance of collective efforts, stating that the national campaign aims to bring people together to combat this silent disease.
Following the campaign's success, officials have decided to extend it to one year with an increased target of 100,000 residents for diabetes screening. Dr Bin Belaila expressed the intention to make this initiative a fundamental pillar of health screening programs in the country, emphasizing sustainability and long-term impact.
Residents, particularly Emirati nationals, can benefit from free diabetes screenings across the UAE. Screening centers have been established at various locations, complemented by two mobile stations touring the country. In Dubai, residents can utilize insurance coverage for diabetes tests, with most insurance policies covering early screening and detection.
Dr Hind Al Awadhi, director of Health Promotion and Education at Dubai Health Authority, highlighted ongoing awareness initiatives in private and public offices, combining field and virtual activations. The success of the campaign was celebrated with a drone show and fireworks at Ain Dubai, underscoring the significance of collective efforts in the fight against diabetes in the UAE.
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By- Sahiba Suri
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