Diabetes screening camp tests over 10K workers in labour community
Thousands of workers thronged a labour camp over the weekend to get checked for diabetes, a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy.
The two-day camp organised at the labour community in Dubai Investment Park 2 by Aster DM Healthcare to mark World Diabetes Day saw as many as 10,000 workers being tested starting from 6.30pm on Saturday until Sunday evening. This was the largest diabetes screening camp by the healthcare group and the biggest in UAE.
The inauguration of the camp was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Labour, Dubai Police, Dubai Health Authority and Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, along with senior officials from Aster DM Healthcare.
The camp also featured an entertainment programme for the workers, with many singing, dancing and orchestra performances.
“It was a fun-filled day for us, along with some knowledge. I did not know about diabetes, but I learnt a lot about it,” said Batsa Dhungal, a painter residing at the labour camp.
Another worker, Zaeem Farooqui, said he was a bit nervous about going to the camp as his parents suffer from diabetes. “I was hesitant for the test, but thank god it was negative,” said Farooqui, 41, who mentioned that his mother was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 40. “I have to take a lot of precautions so the disease doesn't affect me and I lead a healthy life.”
Through this initiative, the Aster group said it aims to screen the labour camps in the DIP area and provide more than 10,000 free screenings within 24 hours. This was also an attempt by the group to set a Guinness World Record.
The healthcare group aims to create awareness on diabetes amongst blue-collar workers in the UAE, who often tend to ignore their health while pushing through their daily jobs, living away from their families.
A separate area at the venue was also set up for screening females and families, and the Aster group said the entire initiative was part of its continuous efforts to encourage the people of the UAE to take care of their health and undertake proactive
measures to detect the onset of chronic lifestyle diseases at early stages.
Dr Azad Moopen, founder chairman and managing director of Aster DM Healthcare, said: "Diabetes mellitus is rightly called a silent killer. This lifestyle disease catches us silently and slowly kills us without awareness until it is too late. This is the most important cause of early mortality and morbidity through cardiac, renal and retinal causes, along with many other organ systems. If detected early, it is one of the most easily preventable and treatable conditions. As a community commitment programme, Aster will be at the forefront of detecting the silent killer early.”
As part of the camp, in addition to providing free diabetes screening, people were also educated to identify the early symptoms of diabetes and get checked on time. Those detected with the disease were guided on the next steps of medical care and managing the disease.
It was a fun-filled day for us, along with some knowledge. I did not know about diabetes, but I learnt a lot about it.” Batsa Dhungal, a painter residing at the labour camp.