No one needs to be reminded of the value of good health and the irreplaceable asset that it is. Diseases and ill-health are universally seen as the ultimate threat, so much so that we typically wish people the best of health even before happiness. Since March 2020, however, a common notion of good health has been largely intertwined with Covid-19, and testing negative for the virus. But now that the pandemic is largely behind us – even as some countries are still trying to contain it, and others, such as the UK just this past week saw a 31 per cent jump in infections – there needs to be a focus on other health impediments, including lifestyle diseases such as diabetes that are hindering too many people from living a full life.
About 422 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, according to the World Health Organisation, most of whom live in low and middle-income countries. And each year, 1.5 million deaths are directly linked to this preventable disease. The alarming fact, superseded in recent years by concerns over the coronavirus, is that both the number of cases and the prevalence of diabetes have been on the rise over the past few decades.
A conference in Abu Dhabi last week was the latest forum that called attention to the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes in the country and, worryingly, in children. “This is the only society that deals solely with paediatric diabetes,” said Dr Asma Deeb, the president of the International Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Diabetes. Add to that, the UAE has one of the world’s highest rates of diabetes, at about 18.7 per cent. For this number to not increase further and reach the expected high of 21.4 per cent by 2030, vital steps must be taken.
This comes down to individual effort, leading a physically active life. The importance of people overhauling their eating habits, reducing junk food, and exercising cannot be stressed enough. The benefits of this begin to show not just on diabetic patients over time, but healthcare systems in the country are relieved of a significant cost.
The benefits of being physically active begin to show not just on diabetic patients over time, but on healthcare systems in the country
The National has often reported on the progress of patients determined to reverse diabetes, as was the case of Huda Al Ali, a mother of two, in her 50s, who lost 28 kilograms over two years by eating healthy and exercising. That is the sort of determination people of all ages need to change their lifestyles.
The government already plays a significant role in encouraging people to be active and healthy, and to have regular check-ups for indicators. There are also a number of fitness and awareness programmes regularly launched to control lifestyle diseases. This year, President Sheikh Mohamed gave a grant to the Harvard Stem Cell Institute for diabetes research through his global health initiative, Reaching the Last Mile, that combats global diseases and supports research and development.
There are other potentially pioneering medical projects in the works. In the field of medical and research infrastructure, the UAE Healthy Future Study assesses risks of chronic diseases, including diabetes, among Emiratis, by examining real-time data. But there is only so much that the government can do to encourage people to take their health seriously. Actual results come down to the effort and determination that people like Huda Al Ali put in.
There are also innovative means being tried in the UAE to motivate people to reduce their diabetes biomarkers and lower their body mass index. In Ras Al Khaimah, a 12-week diabetes challenge by RAK Hospital and the Ministry of Health and Prevention, launched in September, offered people a monetary incentive of Dh20,000 to lose weight and avert diabetes.
As the world turns a corner with Covid-19, it is time to focus on addressing a larger set of diseases. Most people know the toll diabetes can take – it was the ninth biggest cause of death in 2019, according to the WHO. Given the abundance of information, resources, support and medical help at hand, acting swiftly to address the problem of diabetes is imperative.
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is the most popular virtual currency in the world. It was created in 2009 as a new way of paying for things that would not be subject to central banks that are capable of devaluing currency. A Bitcoin itself is essentially a line of computer code. It's signed digitally when it goes from one owner to another. There are sustainability concerns around the cryptocurrency, which stem from the process of "mining" that is central to its existence.
The "miners" use computers to make complex calculations that verify transactions in Bitcoin. This uses a tremendous amount of energy via computers and server farms all over the world, which has given rise to concerns about the amount of fossil fuel-dependent electricity used to power the computers.
Basquiat in Abu Dhabi
One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier.
It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.
“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October
Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.
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
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Bareilly Ki Barfi
Directed by: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring: Kriti Sanon, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao
Three and a half stars
