Data gleaned from a nationwide diabetes screening programme of more than 12,000 people will help health authorities plan future services and improve public education on the condition.
Recently released results from a 100-day joint project between the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHP), show health authorities and the private sector diagnosed more than 1,000 people with either diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Medics were screening for glycated haemoglobin to indicate how much sugar there had been in the patient's blood in the months before the test.
Artificial intelligence will now use the data to predict the consequences of the disease and administer early preventive treatment to those with pre-diabetes to limit their dependence on long-term medication.
By encouraging a healthy lifestyle, in addition to focusing on the importance of early detection of diseases and risk factors, we can prevent chronic diseases before they occur
Dr Buthaina Bin Belaila,
head of non-communicable diseases at the MoHP
Of the 12,877 people screened, 8.9 per cent, or more than 1,100, were found to have pre-diabetes.
Merck, the pharmaceutical company that managed the screening programme, expected the number of people with pre-diabetes to decrease after six-month medical follow-ups, once people were given support to manage the condition.
The serious health condition results from elevated blood sugar levels that are not high enough to lead to full-blown Type 2 diabetes, which can be avoided with healthy lifestyle changes.
Ahmed Fadl, general manager at Merck Gulf, which teamed up with health authorities to conduct screenings, said the campaign was much-needed in a nation with climbing rates of Type 2 diabetes.
“This is a disease that's very common in the region, especially here in the UAE,” he said.
“The problem of diabetes doesn't stand only on the disease itself, but the complications that develop in patients for years.
“The importance of this programme is to bring awareness and bridge the gap between disease diagnosis and treatment.
"It is a comprehensive project, from screening to diagnosis to treatment and follow-ups with patients, with lifestyle management treatment options and consultations.
“Around 70 per cent of pre-diabetic patients don't know they have the condition.
“This is where you need to not only make them aware, but also take actions and start diagnosing themselves.”
Nationwide campaign
The campaign, which began in October, was aimed at expanding comprehensive services across all parts of the country, providing support and information on how to manage diabetes through digital questionnaires.
Screening was completed for those at high risk, based on family history, body mass index, weight and lifestyle.
Medical consultations were then provided to treat and control pre-diabetes by linking the examination to the course of treatment, with medics following up with patients after three and then six months. Remote counselling was also provided.
By understanding the prevalence of pre-diabetes in the community, it is hoped the screening programme can help reduce the number of people going on to develop Type 2 diabetes, which often requires lifelong medical care.
National agenda
A dedicated hotline (800-3422 328) was established to support the project to provide follow-ups and answer public queries.
"The success achieved by conducting more than 12,000 tests for the early detection of diabetes nationwide within 100 days represents a quantum leap towards achieving our goals in reducing the prevalence of the disease,” said Dr Salem Al Darmaki, adviser to the Minister of Health and Prevention.
The numbers diagnosed during the 100-day campaign reflected previous population totals, too.
According to the International Diabetes Federation, in 2021 about 12.3 per cent of the UAE's adult population was diagnosed with diabetes, almost a million people.
It is hoped a wider campaign can be extended in the near future.
“The next step is to expand the roll-out even further next year, perhaps with an even larger programme,” said Mr Fadl.
“We are partnering with the Ministry of Health to bring artificial intelligence to predict high-risk patients through patient profiles.
“These are either stored digitally via Emirates ID or in the hospitals, so they are all connected to the Ministry of Health database.
“It is here where AI can identify those high-risk patients to direct them towards consultations and a change in their lifestyle.”
The MoHP aims to enhance preventive aspects of care to reduce the rate of lifestyle-related issues such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
It also aims to bolster health systems in preparation for future community demands on services.
“By encouraging a healthy lifestyle, in addition to focusing on the importance of early detection of diseases and risk factors, we can prevent chronic diseases before they occur,” said Dr Buthaina Bin Belaila, head of non-communicable diseases at the MoHP.
Weight loss – an important factor in reducing diabetes risk – is being tackled at Ras Al Khaimah Hospital where an annual campaign to encourage a healthier lifestyle received record registrations last month.
The scheme, which runs until March 4, offers cash prizes of Dh300 per kilogram for those losing the most weight. More than 18,000 people have signed up.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre has joined forces with Kyoto University's Centre for iPS Cell Research and Application and Japanese biotech firm Rege Nephro to develop innovative new diabetes treatments.
Under the research, skin and blood cells are extracted and reprogrammed to replicate tissue cells damaged by diabetes.
The cell therapy promises new treatment options for both Type 1 and 2 diabetes.
"With the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi support in innovation and research, we believe this partnership will pave the way for transformative healthcare solutions in our region and beyond,” said Dr Yendry Ventura, chief executive at the Stem Cells Centre and adjunct professor at UAE University.
Pieces of Her
Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick
Director: Minkie Spiro
Rating:2/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
The Book of Collateral Damage
Sinan Antoon
(Yale University Press)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Celtic Prince, David Liska (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer).
7.05pm: Conditions Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Commanding, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
7.40pm: Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Grand Argentier, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 2,200m
Winner: Arch Gold, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed Dh265,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Military Law, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
9.25pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Ibn Malik, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi.
10pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Midnight Sands, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
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Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
