50%
of Diabetes cases remain undiagnosed, with UAE youths getting affected 20 years
earlier than the global average
Free screenings were conducted at Al Zahra Private Hospital Dubai to
spread life-saving awareness, with 34 million affected regionally
With the UAE being among the world’s Top 10 countries most affected by diabetes,
medical experts have warned that a change of mindset is required as diabetes is
now very much a disease of the young, and not just “senior citizens”. UAE patients are being diagnosed with diabetes up to 20 years earlier than
their counterparts in other countries, and 34 million people have been affected
across the region. Doctors raised the alarm after patients were diagnosed with diabetes
at an ever-decreasing age. It is no longer unusual in the UAE to find children with
the type of diabetes which is otherwise more commonly seen in adults.
Unfortunately they begin their lives at much younger age, already burdened by
the disease.
Underlining
the dangerous lack of health awareness, the overwhelming majority of the UAE population
remains unaware of their blood pressure, blood sugar levels or Body Mass Index
(BMI). To remedy this situation, Al Zahra Private Hospital Dubai has embarked on
an intensive life-saving awareness drive to mark World Diabetes Day, November
at Al Zahra Auditorium. Free blood
sugar levels and risk screenings were provided for three consecutive days for
the public, as well as, general checkup including blood pressure and BMI
assessment. Visitors received important tips on how to minimize their risk of
diabetes in addition to extensive diet and lifestyle advice.
Commenting
on the UAE’s worrying diabetes situation, endocrinologist Dr Vikram Hundia of Al Zahra Private Hospital
Dubai explained: “Lifestyles in the UAE now follow a similar pattern to other
advanced countries, with lack of regular exercise, worsened by diets rich in
sugar and trans-fats. The fact that many youths also smoke certainly doesn’t
help matters. Our institution, however believes that there is hope to reverse
the trends and reduce the burden of diabetes. We are helping to change the
mindsets so that youths don’t wait to get seriously ill before visiting a
hospital. Raising awareness, regular screenings and health check-ups for
population at higher risk of diabetes may help with earlier detection and
prevention of this condition.”
Dr
Hundia is well-placed to give comparisons between the UAE situation and Western
countries, as he has previously worked in the UK as endocrinologist. With several articles and
poster presentations in respected international journal and meetings, Dr Hundia
is part of the institution’s goal to give the public world-class advice to turn
the tide against diabetes.
The
awareness event featured the “together we meet the challenge” health talk by Dr
Vikram Hundia followed by a Question and Answer session in which the public had
their most pressing concerns addressed. Free educational materials were shared to give visitors a reliable long-term
source of tips and advice.
What makes the situation particularly critical for diabetes
patients is that the disease does not only affect the endocrine system, the
complications can also affect the heart and other vital organs. In addition,
diabetes patients face 10 times higher risks of amputations. However there is
renewed hope for UAE patients, given the state-of-the-art diagnostic and
treatment facilities at institutions such as Al Zahra Private Hospital Dubai. Despite
a new diabetes-related death and new diagnosis being recorded every 10 seconds,
many diabetics remain unaware that they have it until it is too late, and
therefore the public is urged to get free screenings at the awareness event.
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