Conference discusses latest diabetes treatments

More than 200 doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dieticians met for a three-day conference that ended yesterday to discuss the latest developments in treating diabetes.

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ABU DHABI // More than 200 doctors, nurses, pharmacists and dieticians met yesterday at the Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan Hotel to discuss the latest developments in the treatment of diabetes.

The three-day conference, which concludes today, was designed to raise awareness of a disease that is prevalent in the UAE.

"The Emirates has the second-highest prevalence of diabetes in the world," said Dr Khaled al Jabri, a consultant at Mafraq hospital. "Only the small island of Nauru, near New Zealand, has a higher prevalence."

Around one in five residents of the UAE have diabetes.

Dr Asma Deeb, a paediatric endocrinologist at Mafraq Hospital and one of the organisers of the conference, said such conferences were vital to improving care. "It is also an opportunity for prominent people in the field of encrinology and diabetes to meet, share experiences and plan further studies."

Dr Deeb said participants learned about several new techniques such as advanced insulin pumps as well as "research methodologies from international experts and an education on public health issues in the UAE."