ABU DHABI // Giant strides will be taken in the fight against one of the UAE’s most prevalent diseases at this year’s Walk for Diabetes – and not just by a former US basketball star.
As well as helping people to lead a fitter lifestyle, health professionals at this year’s 5 kilometre walk on Yas Island on November 7 will gather vital data on the nation’s well-being and waistline by taking the body mass index (BMI) of participants.
The information will then be compared to the national average, said Bashar Al Ramahi, chief executive of the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre. About 4,000 people have registered so far, with each contributing their BMI data. It is hoped that close to 20,000 will take part.
“We’re encouraging all participants to log in their height and weight and level of activity so we can calculate the BMI and see how that compares to the BMI of the nation,” said Dr Al Ramahi.
It is hoped the data will provide a vital insight into the battle against diabetes, which is believed to affect about one in five people in the UAE.
“In coming years, we hope to use more precise ways of doing this [data collection], but this is a step in the right direction,” said Dr Al Ramahi.
Former LA Lakers star Kareem Abdul Jabbar was also keen to lend his support to the event, which is part of Take A Step For Diabetes Week.
“I’m very concerned about what I see going on,” said the 67-year-old. “The rising number of people contracting diabetes over here is really alarming and there are so many things you can do to mitigate that.”
The 7ft 2in former basketball player, whose mother died of diabetes-related complications, said community initiatives are needed to encourage people to change their lives for the better.
“Health will add years to your life and life to your years,” he said. Adding more sports facilities such as basketball courts, skateboard parks and events and competitions, are key to making societal changes.
“I’d like to encourage the people who make decisions in that area to think about that. Competitions and facilities are what inspire the young generation to be healthy and have a healthy lifestyle.”
Sven Rohte, chief commercial officer at health insurance company Daman, which is sponsoring the walk, said such events are vital in calling citizens to action.
“It gives people a purpose,” he said. “Only when you know you have to walk 5km you get prepared. In the best case that will carry on 365 days a year. We hope to inspire people to have this walking routine throughout the year.”
He said that 70 per cent of insurance claims made to Daman were related to lifestyle diseases.
Dr Maha Barakat, director general, Health Authority Abu Dhabi, said previous walks proved to be a great inspiration to the community.
“Many people who have participated are continuing to walk after the event,” she said. “We’ve seen that with our football tournaments and other similar events too.
“The main concern isn’t the event, but how it impacts people’s lives and how they continue with this activity after the events.
“Do people continue walking, playing football or do they take their running shoes and lock them up and let them gather dust? We hope the whole community continues exercising as much as they can but exercise alone is not enough. We have to think about diet. It’s not just your sugar and fat intake but it’s things like salt and smoking which are all elements of a bad lifestyle.”
This year’s walk will also see the launch of the Health X conference that hopes to engage professionals and the community, and will feature live healthy cooking stands and demonstrations.
“Food is a key part of the experience of the walk itself on November 7,” said Nick McElwee, Yas Marina’s sales and marketing director. “A balanced diet is a key part of this issue.”
mswan@thenational.ae
Monday's results
- UAE beat Bahrain by 51 runs
- Qatar beat Maldives by 44 runs
- Saudi Arabia beat Kuwait by seven wickets
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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
The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
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