Diabetes is a silent killer that affects more that 400 million people worldwide. According to an estimate, one person dies every six seconds from diabetes-related illnesses. By 2040, more than 640 million people around the world may be suffering from diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
It’s a particularly challenging issue for the Gulf countries, where diabetes leads to a wide range of complications and costs. The region faces a growing problem with obesity. In addition, it faces a serious problem relating to detection and prevention of diabetes. According to a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit, late diagnoses could put immense pressure on healthcare budgets.
In the UAE, a shift in policy is required to address what doctors describe as a “national emergency”. Locally, diabetes affects 19 per cent of the population. In Abu Dhabi, the disease rates could rise to 50 per cent within a decade. Experts say that authorities have to work on a basket of measures, including tough new legislation, better primary health care and community engagement. For this to happen, the country will have to make further investments in the healthcare sector. Perhaps the aim should be to catch up with the 34 countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development who spend an average of 8.9 per cent of their GDP on health care. The sector currently accounts for approximately 3.2 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product.
But progress also needs to be made at a more local level and we should replicate events such as the walk organised at Yas Marina Circuit on Friday, which drew huge crowds of eager participants. More events that focus on a healthy lifestyle need to rise to the surface. Public education is vital, as lifestyle habits have been identified as the biggest culprit in the development of type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form in this country.
The good news is that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or managed through simple lifestyle changes – and when it comes to healthcare issues, self-regulation often proves to be effective. However, we may need to do more to shift attitudes.
