The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has joined the globe in celebrating the World Diabetes Day, with a special event titled “Let us Prevent Diabetes Before It Starts”, in line with its keenness to raise community awareness about the impact of the disease on the quality of life and highlight the important role of prevention in combating the disease.
Organized in collaboration with Novo Nordisk and Gargash Hospital, the diabetes awareness event was attended by H.E Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Public Health Sector at the ministry, Dr. Buthaina Bin Belaila, Head of Non-Communicable Disease Department at MOHAP, and several directors of departments and sections as well as employees and customers.
Walking competition
The event kicked off with a walking competition opened by H.E Dr. Hussein Al Rand to encourage employees to increase physical activity. The participants then counted their steps through the FITZE app and dedicated them to their loved ones with diabetes, in a show of solidarity to encourage them to continue their commitment to treatment.
The competition ended with the distribution of gifts to participants and honoring the participating parties by H.E Dr. Hussein Al Rand.
Interactive lecture and medical advice
The event also included a lecture on diabetes associated risk factors and scientific facts on the disease. The interactive lecture was given through a competition between two teams from the ministry’s employees. Through its medical team of doctors and nutritionists, GargashHospital provided medical examination services and medical advice to employees, in addition to tips given by chefs on ways to prepare healthy snack recipes for employees.
The ministry also organized a contest for high school and university students who competed to design the best advertising poster to raise awareness about diabetes.
Improving the results of national indicator
His Excellency Dr. Hussein Al Rand reaffirmed that the prevention of diabetes and chronic diseases is one of the ministry’s strategic priorities through awareness initiatives and programs that supported by research and scientific studies in this field. He noted that the event comes as part of the ministry's efforts to raise community awareness about diabetes and ways to prevent it.
Dr. Hussein Al Rand highlighted that the ministry continues its efforts in cooperation with various health authorities to develop a preventive health approach and improve the results of the national indicator of the number of people with diabetes.
He said that the results of the National Health Survey in 2018 indicated a 6.8 percent declinein the prevalence rate of diabetes to 11.8%. Dr. Al Rand urged community members to adopt a healthy lifestyle in support of the country’s efforts to combat the disease.
National disease control framework
Meanwhile, Dr. Buthaina Bin Belaila, Head of Non-Communicable Disease Department at MOHAP, said The UAE strives to reduce the incidence of diabetes by developing a national diabetes control framework and prevent associated risk factors such as obesity.
She underlined the importance for all members of society to lead healthy lifestyles, including healthy food, physical activity and refraining from smoking.