Leading UAE medical professionals attended an ICDLC ground-breaking perspective on diabetes given by, Dr. Houman Ashrafian from the University of Oxford yesterday for World Diabetes Day (November 14 2006).
Diabetes is ranked as one of the world's fastest growing debilitating illnesses, and set to affect more than 65 per cent of the UAE's population by 2010, up from 23 per cent today.
Dr. Ashrafian, who delivered a paper - 'The Future of Diabetes Therapy - A Mechanistic Approach', is considered an expert on energetics from United Kingdom's Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics at the University of Oxford.
Dr. Maha Consultant Endocrinologist, Medical & Research Director explained that ICDLC in Abu Dhabi is a state-of-the-art specialised out-patients clinic geared to help detect, prevent and treat diabetes: "Diabetes can be prevented and detected very early on, so we have every hope of being able to manage, and thus prevent, such huge increases in the numbers of diabetes sufferers," she said.
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Notes to the editor
About Imperial College London Diabetes Centre
The Imperial College London Diabetes Centre is a state-of-the-art specialized out-patient clinic to help detect, prevent and treat diabetes. The centre is a one-stop-facility that specialises in Diabetes Treatment, Research, Training and Public Health. Located in Abu Dhabi (next to the Zayed Military Hospital), ICLDC allows the highest level of specialized patient care, from first diagnosis to the continued management of all complications associated with diabetes.
Imperial College London holds a renowned history and expertise in the study of diabetes, bringing one of the leading medical academic institutions in the world to Abu Dhabi as a core working partner. Under ICLDC practices, one of the Centre's primary objectives will be to provide continuing education for health professionals and the general public. For more details visit: http://www.icldc.ae
About World Diabetes Day
World Diabetes Day, organised by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) is the primary global awareness campaign of the diabetes world. It was first introduced in 1991 in response to concern over the escalating incidence of diabetes around the world. Since then, it has grown in popularity and now unites more than 350 million people worldwide including opinion leaders, health-care professionals, carers, people with diabetes, and the general public.
World Diabetes Day is celebrated every year on November 14. The date was chosen as it is the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1922. While many events take place on or around the day itself, themed campaigning is spread over the whole year.
World Diabetes Day is celebrated worldwide by the more than 190 member associations of the International Diabetes Federation in over 150 countries, as well as by other associations and organizations, healthcare professionals and individuals with an interest in diabetes. IDF member associations develop an extensive range of activities, tailored to a variety of groups.
For media enquiries:
Cheryl Gomes
Euro RSCG Furness for ICLDC
cheryl.gomes@eurorscgfurness.com
T +971 04 390 3030
M +971 50 245 1986
F +971 04 3918486
© Press Release 2006
