Ministry rolls out free diabetes check-ups

dubai — The Ministry of Health and Prevention has offered a number of check-ups for residents as part of the World Diabetes Day.

The ministry announced the launch of an awareness campaign for the UAE community as well as blood glucose and blood pressure testing, body mass index measurement and foot examinations in addition to free counselling about diabetes and the importance of healthy nutrition and physical activity.

During the event, the ministry also launched the second phase of the ‘Diabetes Circle of Care’ initiative in collaboration with the Emirates Diabetes Society. The goal of this programme is to help patients at risk of or living with type 2 diabetes and to promote overall community health within the UAE.

The second phase of the ‘Diabetes Circle of Care’ initiative offers educational materials about diabetes for UAE nationals and residents living with or at risk of type 2 diabetes, in particular, those who need further support to better understand the disease and its management.

The initial launch of the initiative was in June with the first phase focused on providing support for UAE nationals with diabetes during Ramadan.

Dr Hussein Al Rand, Undersecretary of the ministry and Secretary for Health Centres and clinics said: “It is also about raising awareness regarding the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles

We need to continue to support health education initiatives about type 2 diabetes for doctors, patients and people at risk for the disease, which represents a significant burden both socially and economically.”

Dr Abdul Razzak Al Madani, president of the Emirates Diabetes Society

to reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.”

He also said the ‘Diabetes Circle of Care’ initiative is an important platform to help the ministry support patients with type 2 diabetes and unite the efforts of the healthcare community to achieve the National health agenda goal to reduce the prevalence of diabetes from 19.3 per cent in 2015 to 16.28 per cent by 2021.

Dr Abdul Razzak Al Madani, president of the Emirates Diabetes Society, said: “We need to continue to support health education initiatives about type 2 diabetes for doctors, patients and people at risk for the disease, which represents a significant burden both socially and economically.”

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com