The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has showcased the latest developments and achievements made by the National Prediabetes and Diabetes Screening campaign at Arab Health 2024, currently taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from January 29 to February 1, 2024.
Launched last October by the Ministry in collaboration with local and private health authorities, the initiative aims to combat diabetes and meet the national goal of reducing its prevalence.
It also aims to enhance public awareness about diabetes while emphasising the significance of adopting healthy lifestyles to prevent the disease, particularly type 2 diabetes, and early detect prediabetes among individuals at higher risk.
The programme not only provides tailored medical advice and appropriate treatments, but also consistent follow-up at intervals of three months, six months, and a year to ensure the sustainability of the initiative and make a lasting impact on public health.
Digital questionnaires
As part of the campaign, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, in collaboration with its partners, has been actively providing screening services for UAE residents through medical centres nationwide. The campaign also involves visits to both government and private sector organizations, offering on-site testing services. Additionally, digital questionnaires are used to assess individuals' risk of developing diabetes, followed by hemoglobin A1C tests (a measure of blood sugar levels) for those identified as having an increased risk.
A notable milestone was achieved at the beginning of this year when the Ministry announced a significant accomplishment in the initiative's implementation. Guided by the Government Accelerators Programme's 100-day challenge, which aimed to conduct 5,000 early detection tests for diabetes across the state, the Ministry exceeded expectations by completing over 12,000 tests, marking a 140% increase above the initial target.
Promoting awareness about prevention
HE Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector, said: "The National Prediabetes and Diabetes Screening campaign represents a cornerstone in our mission to uplift public health. It's an embodiment of the Ministry of Health and Prevention's commitment to not only raising health awareness but also to proactively managing and preventing health issues. By focusing on early detection, we seek to enhancing the overall quality of life, ensuring a supportive environment for those living with diabetes. This initiative is a step forward in our ongoing battle against noncommunicable diseases, realized through the synergy of our strategic partnerships."
Al Rand added: "We are truly proud of the successes achieved during the 100-day challenge of the initiative, reflecting the synergistic efforts of both public and private sectors in bolstering the efficacy of health programmes focused on diabetes control. We are grateful for this collaboration and the fruitful partnership with all involved parties, including medical teams, who played a pivotal role in achieving the initiative's positive outcomes. It's essential to continue this cooperation, as it contributes significantly to the Ministry's goals and vision of establishing a world-class health system, fostering a healthy society with longevity."
National Action Plan
For her part, Dr. Buthina Bin Belaila, Head of the Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Department at the Ministry, said: “Addressing Type 2 diabetes is a significant challenge that the Ministry of Health and Prevention is actively working to mitigate. Our goal is to reduce its prevalence, enhance preventive measures, improve the associated national health indicators, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
In line with this, we have established the priorities of the National Action Plan to combat diabetes. Recognizing the critical importance of early detection, prediabetes has been identified as a key focus area. This approach is expected to significantly contribute to the reduction of the national diabetes prevalence rate, aligning with the global strategy to combat noncommunicable diseases.”