The UAE today joined the international community in celebrating the World Health Day, being held this year under the theme 'Beat Diabetes' .

WHO is marking its annual World Health Day (7 April), which celebrates the Organization’s founding in 1948, by issuing a call for action on diabetes. In its first "Global report on diabetes", WHO highlights the need to step up prevention and treatment of the disease.

In regards to policies, guidelines and monitoring, WHO says the UAE has in place operational policy/strategy/action plan for diabetes to reduce overweight and obesity, and to increase physical activity. WHO notes in its Diabetes country profile 2016 that the UAE implemented an evidence-based national diabetes guidelines/protocols/standards and standard criteria for referral of patients from primary care to higher level of care.

It also refers to the availability of medicines, basic technologies and procedures in the public health sector.

A diabetes and endocrinology consultant in Abu Dhabi affirmed that research studies show that lifestyle changes could reduce the incidence of diabetes by 58%, if the individual commits to walk for an average of 150 minutes per week at a rate of 30 minutes five days a week, and commits to healthy eating, staying away from obesity.

Dr. Mahmoud Ben Baraka, consultant diabetes & endocrinology at HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center in Abu Dhabi warned that the number of diabetic patients is steadily increasing with the prevalence of chronic diseases particularly obesity, heart diseases and other ailments.

Dr. Ben Baraka further added, "we have launched few diagnostic techniques at the center including a new blood sugar monitoring device, a small-sized device that the patient can stick on the shoulder and is linked to a wireless receiver that the patient carries. The device measures the patient’s blood sugar throughout the day without the need to take a blood sample. Usually, we monitor a patient’s blood sugar for two weeks, which helps us determine the blood sugar levels and identify the times when it increases r decreases. This gives the physician an integrated demonstration of the patient's condition."

He said, "other developments include the insulin pumps, which are used for diabetes type 1, where the pump spontaneously stops giving insulin when blood glucose levels are low."

Dr. Ben Baraka commended the fact that the World Health Day theme this year is "Beat Diabetes", which is an important occasion to raise awareness on the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of prevention through exercising and healthy eating. It’s evident that many health institutions in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the Health Authority Abu Dhabi continuously raise awareness on fighting diabetes as well as other chronic diseases.

Globally, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon marked World Health Day with a strong call for stepping up global efforts to halt the rise in diabetes and improve the lives of those living with this dangerous but preventable and treatable disease.

"We can limit the spread and impact of diabetes by promoting and adopting healthier lifestyles, especially among young people," he said in his message on the Day, urging people to eat better and be physically active. He also stressed the need to improve diabetes diagnosis and access to essential medicines such as insulin.

"Governments, healthcare providers, people with diabetes, civil society, food producers and manufacturers and suppliers of medicines and technology must all contribute to changing the status quo," he said.

Diabetes is an ancient disease that is taking a growing toll on the modern world, he said.

In 1980, 108 million adults were living with diabetes. By 2014, that number had risen to 422 million, or 8.5 per cent of adults, reflecting a global increase in risk factors such as being overweight or obese.

Maintaining normal body weight, engaging in regular physical activity, and eating a healthy diet can reduce the risk of diabetes.

Even though we have the tools to prevent and treat it, diabetes now causes some 1.5 million deaths a year. High blood glucose causes an additional 2.2 million deaths.

This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first Global report on diabetes, outlining the scale of the problem and suggesting ways to reverse current trends. The burden of diabetes is not equally shared, within or between countries. People in low- and middle-income countries are disproportionately affected. Wherever poverty is found, there are also disease and premature deaths.

Diabetes affects countries' health systems and economies, through increased medical costs and lost wages. In 2011, world leaders agreed that non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, represent a major challenge to achieving sustainable development. Last year, Governments adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, which include the target of reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one-third.

In her video message, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said the agency decided to devote this year's World Health Day to diabetes for many reasons. "The prevalence of diabetes is alarming and is rapidly getting worse. This is a worrying worldwide trend," she said, calling for healthier lifestyles.

Source:WAM