Loading...
Loading...
Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, emphasised that addressing diabetes is a national priority supported by unified efforts to enhance health and quality of life.
He stated, “This priority can be achieved through a national strategy and an integrated health system that shifts care towards a proactive pathway, protecting the community and elevating its quality of life. We are working with all relevant health authorities as one team to promote community health and ensure the sustainability of its well-being.”
Al Sayegh highlighted that expanding early diagnostic capabilities with smart systems has significantly improved disease management by broadening screening coverage across diverse demographics. He urged community members to undergo early screening to detect pre-diabetes, which directly supports prevention and reduces the incidence of the disease.
Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, noted, “Diabetes is a global health challenge, but the potential to prevent Type 2 diabetes is high due to its strong connection to lifestyle. This aligns with Abu Dhabi’s vision of developing a smart, proactive healthcare system that protects community members before illness occurs and allows them to enjoy long, healthy lives.”
He explained that the Population Health Intelligence (PHI) platform is a transformative tool integrating clinical, environmental, and lifestyle data, providing a comprehensive view of health trends. This enables early intervention and supports evidence-based decisions to improve community health.
Al Mansoori also highlighted proactive programmes such as the “Check” comprehensive screening initiative, which identifies at-risk groups and provides guidance, and the Personalised Weight Management Program, which offers supervised support for maintaining a healthy weight safely. He encouraged the public to adopt a prevention-oriented lifestyle, including regular check-ups, healthy diet, and physical activity.
Dr. Alawi Al Sheikh Ali, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), stated that the UAE has made significant strides in combating diabetes and lowering its incidence. He highlighted the expansion of the “Early Detection Healthcare Services for Emirati Citizens,” recently announced by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as a paradigm shift in reducing chronic diseases.
Dr Al Sheikh Ali emphasised that the DHA focuses on early detection of diabetes and its underlying causes. The authority is conducting a household health survey in Dubai to assess residents’ health status and lifestyle patterns. Results from the 2024 survey showed positive trends: diabetes prevalence dropped from 13.7% in 2019 to 12.9%, childhood obesity decreased from 17.3% to 16.9%, and physical activity rose from 19.9% to 36.9%.
Dr Abdulaziz Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah Health Authority, stressed that limiting diabetes is a core part of the Emirate’s vision for a healthier, prevention-focused society. The Authority integrates medical professionals, community initiatives, and digital systems to enable early detection, rapid intervention, and proactive healthcare.
He noted that developing early diabetes diagnosis capabilities and advanced monitoring technologies has increased the effectiveness and reach of early detection programmes. Al Muhairi urged the public to conduct regular check-ups and adopt healthy habits to reduce diabetes incidence and improve quality of life, underlining that prevention safeguards the community’s future health.
For an optimal experience, please
rotate your device to portrait mode.
