Dubai, UAE: In light of World Diabetes Day, which falls on November 14 of every year, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) highlighted it’s initiatives and specialized services that aim to provide diabetics with quality diagnostic, preventive and treatment services.

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), in 2017 approximately 425 million adults (20-79 years) were living with diabetes; by 2045 this will rise to 629 million.

It is estimated that 19 per cent of the population in the UAE suffers from diabetes.

Due to the high risk people with diabetes have in developing a number of serious health problems such as heart disease, strokes, blindness, kidney failure and lower limb amputation, the DHA launched a number of initiatives that will help prevent these complications.

Diabetes Registry

Dr Fatheya Al Awadi, Head of Endocrinology Department at Dubai Hospital and Head of DHA Diabetes Committee, said that among these initiatives is the ‘Diabetes Registry’, which has been developed in-house by the DHA diabetes committee, the IT department and the DHA electronic medical record team (SALAMA).

“The registry captures complete details of every diabetic patient that visits any of the DHA health facilities.  It is a tool that helps us get accurate information about diabetics in Dubai. We can then use this data to see whether there is an increase in the number of diabetics and tailor-make management strategies accordingly,” she said.

Dr Al Awadhi added that the registry will help endocrinologists learn about patient’s characteristics and help understand their likelihood of developing complications and base preventive and curative policies based on this data.

Joint clinics

DHA’s hospital also introduced joint clinics for diabetics with complications to ensure they receive highest level of multidisciplinary care and for their convenience.

“The joint clinic is the first-of-its kind initiative in Dubai. They provide an opportunity for diabetics to visit multiple healthcare experts at the same time rather than taking several appointments, which is time-consuming and inconvenient,” she said.

For pregnant women who are diabetic or have gestational diabetes, a joint clinic was established  so that pregnant women can visit their obstetrician and their endocrinologist at the same time. 

“This ensures excellent levels of multidisciplinary treatment and is time-saving. The clinic is available on a weekly basis at Dubai Hospital and on a monthly basis at Latifa Hospital,” said Dr Al Awadhi.

Similarly, the DHA has introduced two new joint clinics in Dubai Hospital. The first clinic is a joint clinic with nephrologists and endocrinologists for diabetics with kidney problems. This clinic takes place on a monthly basis.

“The second clinic is a weekly thyroid clinic where the patient see the endocrinologists and if required they can get an urgent Thyroid ultrasound and biopsy done by the endocrine team and refer to surgeon if indicated. Consequently, within two weeks they will receive a treatment plan which is based on inputs from multidisciplinary medical experts,” said Dr Al Awadhi.

Al Awadi said paediatric patients with diabetes & endocrine disorder are moved to the adult clinic when they are 13 years of age. To ease this transition, the DHA has introduced a joint clinic with pediatric endocrinologists and adult endocrinologists so that young adults are comfortable in their new healthcare environment. The clinic runs every 3 months.

Dr Al Awadhi revealed that the Endocrine Department of DHA is an accredited center of excellence by the International Diabetes Federation.

Education and Awareness

Dr Al Awadhi added that the endocrine department at DHA is highly engaged in educational activities for healthcare professionals across Dubai, UAE and the region.

“This is as we believe that one of the best ways to ensure better management for people with diabetes is through raising the skills and knowledge of the service providers.”

To raise awareness among the public about the importance of early diagnosis of diabetes and the importance of managing diabetes, the department holds a number of diabetes awareness campaigns throughout the years within DHA facilities.

“We also hold campaigns in schools, universities authorities ,societies and labor camps to increase the awareness among people who have  diabetes and their families as well as the entire community. This is in line with the theme for diabetes awareness month and World Diabetes Day 2019, which is Family and Diabetes.”   

Beat Diabetes Walk

Dr Al Awadhi added that the DHA in collaboration with Emirates diabetes society (EDS) and Landmark Group are launching their annual “Beat Diabetes” walk on November 15, 7am at Zabeel Park, Gate 3, to raise awareness about Diabetes among Dubai residents.

The UAE is among the top 10 countries with high prevalence of diabetes in the world, which is why raising awareness about the disease and the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle is essential.

“In order to meet the national agenda of reducing diabetes prevalence in the country from 19 per cent to 16.4 per cent by 2021, there is a need to make the public aware about the importance of healthy eating and regular exercise. We hope to make people aware of this message through the walkathon and other activities that the authority is planning on launching,” she added.

Al Awadi said that following the walkathon a series of fun activities and free screening will be available for the public to take part in. 

FACT BOX: Dubai hospital provides comprehensive Diabetes and Endocrinology services. Our services includes inpatient care as well as specialized clinics for diabetes and endocrinology as we are considered as a tertiary center for Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

Our outpatient services includes:

  • Joint Diabetes-Antenatal clinic with Obstetrics Department
  • Joint Diabetes and Kidney clinic with Renal Department
  • Joint adolescents diabetes clinic with Pediatric department
  • Thyroid clinic with Thyroid Ultrasound facilities
  • General Endocrinology clinic
  • General diabetes clinic
  • Thyroid ultrasound and thyroid biopsy clinic
  • Investigations for dynamic hormones

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:
Kamakshi Gupta and Noor Nazzal
Communications Analysts- Media Dept.
Dubai Health Authority
klgupta@dha.gov.ae  nnnazzal@dha.gov.ae
+9714 2197455

About the Dubai Health Authority:

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement. 

Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services, which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.

In May 2018, H.H Sheikh Mohammed, issued Law No. (6) of 2018 of the DHA. The new Law further enables the DHA to achieve its objectives including regulating medical services in Dubai, enhancing competiveness and transparency, improving medical services and products based on international best practices and achieving the sector’s objectives according to approved strategic plans.

H.H Sheikh Mohammed also issued Decree No. 17 of 2018 establishing subsidiaries of the DHA: the Dubai Healthcare Corporation and Dubai Health Insurance Corporation to further enhance healthcare services in Dubai and enable DHA to fulfil its responsibilities and obligations.

Three new strategic sectors were also added as part of the decree; they include Strategy and Corporate Development, Health Regulation, and Shared Support Services.

In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta Hospitals, its 12 primary healthcare centres, 17 medical fitness centres and its 6 specialty centres.

For more information, visit DHA’s website: www.dha.gov.ae 

© Press Release 2019

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