A diabetic prepares his insulin injection. AFP
A diabetic prepares his insulin injection. AFP
A diabetic prepares his insulin injection. AFP
A diabetic prepares his insulin injection. AFP

Number of excess deaths linked to diabetes rises in England


Soraya Ebrahimi
  • English
  • Arabic

Diabetes-related excess deaths in the England has risen to higher than expected levels, a charity has warned.

In 2022 there were more than 7,000 excess deaths in England linked to the condition, which is 13 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels, Diabetes UK said.

Most of these were “were not attributable directly to Covid-19", the charity said.

Its research showed that between January and March this year there were 1,461 excess deaths involving diabetes.

The charity said “urgent action” was needed to reverse the trend.

It said the figures could be “linked to the backlog in routine diabetes care caused by the pandemic” as it called for more to be done to help people “live well” with the condition.

A report from the charity included a poll of patients to find out how many received all of the recommended annual check-ups, which are supposed to help reduce the risk of complications.

Foods that help to tackle diabetes - in pictures

  • People who have diabetes should eat plenty of fresh vegetables and avoid fried and sugary foods.
    People who have diabetes should eat plenty of fresh vegetables and avoid fried and sugary foods.
  • Tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and helps to manage diabetes because it can lower inflammation and improve blood sugar control. Silvia Razgova / The National
    Tuna is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and helps to manage diabetes because it can lower inflammation and improve blood sugar control. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • Replacing processed foods with fresh, home-cooked meals brings many health benefits. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Replacing processed foods with fresh, home-cooked meals brings many health benefits. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Berries are beneficial for people with diabetes because they are packed with antioxidants and fibre. iStockphoto
    Berries are beneficial for people with diabetes because they are packed with antioxidants and fibre. iStockphoto
  • Greek salads made with lettuce, onions, tomatoes and cucumbers are low in calories, high in nutrients and help regulate blood sugar levels.
    Greek salads made with lettuce, onions, tomatoes and cucumbers are low in calories, high in nutrients and help regulate blood sugar levels.
  • The good fats in avocados can help you prevent diabetes complications, such as heart attacks and strokes, and help your body to use insulin more effectively.
    The good fats in avocados can help you prevent diabetes complications, such as heart attacks and strokes, and help your body to use insulin more effectively.
  • Citrus fruits can lower blood sugar levels. Pawan Singh / The National
    Citrus fruits can lower blood sugar levels. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Walnuts can be a good snack for people with type-2 diabetes. They may help to prevent heart disease, control blood sugar levels and aid weight loss.
    Walnuts can be a good snack for people with type-2 diabetes. They may help to prevent heart disease, control blood sugar levels and aid weight loss.

It said the poll, conducted by the charity on more than 11,000 people in England living with diabetes, found that 47 per cent received all of the checks in 2021 or 2022, down from 57 per cent before the pandemic.

“This routine care can be life-saving and help prevent other serious complications such as amputations, strokes and heart disease," said Chris Askew, chief executive of Diabetes UK.

“Yet far too many people with diabetes are being left to go it alone managing this challenging and potentially fatal condition, with deeply alarming numbers of checks either missed or delayed.

“We know health professionals are working incredibly hard to give people the care they need, but they are just too stretched to provide the time and personalised support that is required and it’s having a catastrophic impact.”

A Department of Health and Social Care representative said: “The NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme — the largest programme of its kind in the world — has helped over 18,000 people avoid Type 2 diabetes through expert advice on healthy eating and exercise.

“Our major conditions strategy will cover Type 2 diabetes and help to reduce pressure on the NHS.”

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

The biog

Favourite hobby: I love to sing but I don’t get to sing as much nowadays sadly.

Favourite book: Anything by Sidney Sheldon.

Favourite movie: The Exorcist 2. It is a big thing in our family to sit around together and watch horror movies, I love watching them.

Favourite holiday destination: The favourite place I have been to is Florence, it is a beautiful city. My dream though has always been to visit Cyprus, I really want to go there.

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Zakat definitions

Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.

Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.

Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.

Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.

Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

The bio

Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district

Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school

Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family

His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people

Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned

Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates

Updated: May 09, 2023, 11:12 PM