Free diabetes screening at 2 hospitals in Capital
abu dhabi — November is diabetes awareness month and two hospitals in the Capital — Universal Hospital and Medeor 24X7 Abu Dhabi — are offering free screening all through this month.
Universal Hospital has launched its Health Awareness Ribbon Campaign that focuses on diabetes. Hospital founder and managing director Dr Shabeer Nellikode said diabetes and its complications are largely preventable.
“About 4.6 million deaths annually are attributable to diabetes and diabetes ranks among the top 10 causes of disability worldwide. If no action is taken, the number of people with diabetes is predicted to rise to 552 million by 2030, or one adult in 10. The challenge is early diagnosis and effective management and to prevent new cases of diabetes developing and that is the focus of our awareness campaign,” he said.
“Diabetes can be especially harsh for pregnant women who are diagnosed or children with Type 1. Both require consistent and special care,” Medeor 24x7 Hospital Abu Dhabi consultant internal medicine Dr Puthuvadathayil Shamsuddeen said.
“Unfortunately there is no way to treat diabetes once it is diagnosed. You will have to manage it. It is easier to prevent it with a few lifestyle modifications and more importantly, with diabetes screening” Shamsuddeen added.
World Diabetes Day falls on November 14.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com