• 18 specialists represent Abu Dhabi’s leading diabetes care centre at event

  • The UAE ranks third among MENA countries with highest age-adjusted comparative diabetes prevalence after Saudi Arabia and Egypt

  • Number of people with diabetes in MENA region expected to increase by 111.8% by 2045 according to latest IDF figures

Abu Dhabi-UAE: – 18 leading physicians are representing Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC), part of Mubadala’s network of healthcare providers and the region’s comprehensive state-of-the-art outpatient facility for diabetes treatment, prevention, education and research, at the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Congress 2017 in Abu Dhabi that opened in the UAE capital today.

Slated to run at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until 8 December 2017, the prestigious biennial event has convened global experts to explore the latest developments and technologies in diabetes care. Organised by Brussels-based IDF, a worldwide alliance of over 230 national diabetes associations from more than 160 countries, the global health conference provides an ideal platform for knowledge exchange and spark insightful conversations about various aspects of diabetes and related complications.

In line with its mission of offering high-quality treatment, research, public health initiatives and continuing education and training for a diverse range of healthcare professionals, ICLDC is showcasing its four-pronged approach to tackling diabetes at its interactive, state-of-the-art stand at the congress.

Furthermore, 18 of the Centre’s specialists are chairing sessions on topics such as The Science of Diabetic Complications, Education and Integrated Care, and Epidemiology and Public Health. Through knowledge sharing and interactive discussions, ICLDC’s physicians aim to spark important conversations and promote the sharing of medical experiences and practice to help develop a cadre of highly qualified physicians across the region who treat diabetic patients every day.

Dr Saf Naqvi, Executive and Medical Director at Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, said: “Diabetes ranks among the most pressing healthcare challenges of our time not only in our region but across the globe. If we are to collectively tackle this crisis, we have to adopt global best practices to advance our approach and methodology as healthcare providers.”

Stressing the importance of the conference that attracts the highest calibre of physicians from around the world, he added: “We are proud to welcome the IDF Congress in Abu Dhabi. The event provides an enriching learning experience that will significantly contribute to the professional development of not only our own medical experts but enhancing the quality of diabetes care in the emirate and the wider region.”

Reflecting its commitment to offering training and education to the healthcare community, ICLDC is also set to host a satellite symposium themed ‘Obesity: Exploring Regional and Global Issues’ on the sidelines of the IDF Congress on 6 December. The event will be open to researchers, endocrinologists, diabetologists and all physicians with an interest in research. Speakers will include Dr Nader Lessan and Dr Mohamed Suliman from ICLDC as well as Professor Tricia Tan from Imperial College London and NHS Trust.

According to the latest edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas1, the UAE with 17.3 per cent takes third place among countries with the highest age-adjusted comparative diabetes prevalence in the MENA region, right after Saudi Arabia and Egypt. If the current trend continues, the number of people with diabetes in the MENA region is projected to increase by 111.8 per cent by 2045.

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About Imperial College London Diabetes Centre
Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC), part of Mubadala’s network of world-class healthcare providers, is a state-of-the-art outpatient facility that specialises in diabetes treatment, research, training and public health awareness. In just over a decade, the Centre has gained international renown for its holistic approach to the treatment of diabetes and related complications that enables patients to receive the full spectrum of care they need in one place.

With more than 70 diabetes professionals and endocrinologists under one roof, ICLDC offers best-in-class medical attention from first diagnosis to disease management across 11 specialist practice areas including adult and paediatric endocrinology, treatment of metabolic and electrolyte disorders, pre- and post-bariatric surgery care, heart disease prevention, nutritional advice, ophthalmology, nephrology and podiatry.

ICLDC was established in 2006 in Abu Dhabi by Mubadala in partnership with the UK’s Imperial College London to address the growing demand for diabetes care in the UAE. The centre now operates three branches across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, touching the lives of more than one million people through patient-centric programmes and public health initiatives. In 2007, ICLDC launched Diabetes. Knowledge.Action, now the longest running public health awareness campaign in the country. The initiative promotes an active lifestyle through an ongoing calendar of events for the whole community – Major activations include an annual walkathon that coincides with the World Diabetes Day in November.

ICLDC holds the Joint Commission International (JCI) Clinical Care Program Certification in Outpatient Diabetes Management and JCI Accreditation for Ambulatory Care.

For more information, please visit www.icldc.ae

For media enquiries and unique opportunities to interview medical professionals, please contact:
Dana El Assi
Account Manager 
APCO Worldwide
Email: DElAssi@apcoworldwide.com>
Mobile: 055 432 87 83

[1] https://www.idf.org/e-library/epidemiology-research/diabetes-atlas.html

© Press Release 2017