New diabetes centre to offer advanced care

A new diabetes centre will soon open in Dubai that will include a children's section and cater to an increasing number of adults being treated, it was announced yesterday. Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), discussed the importance of the paediatric endocrine facility which the centre will offer and highlighted the importance of providing such advanced diabetic care to patients. Earlier, Shaikh Hamdan inaugurated an exhibition organised by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) at the World Diabetes Congress at Dubai Trade Centre. He was accompanied by Qadi Al Murooshid, Director-General of DHA, and Professor Jean Claude Mbanya, President of the IDF. Al Murooshid said the new centre will increase the clinic's capacity by 50 per cent. "Our goal is to multiply capacity so that we reach out to a larger number of diabetic patients," he said. Article continues below Dr Hamed Farooqi, Director of the Dubai Diabetes Centre, said there are a number of children with Type 1 diabetes and they need more involved care. "They have to take their insulin on time, they have to eat properly... all that takes time and effort," he said. The new centre will be located on December 2 Street (previously known as Al Diyafah Street) within the premises of the Shaikh Hamdan Medical Awards building. Currently, the centre is located in Al Wasl Hospital. While Type 1 diabetes is due to genetic factors, a majority of adults (both Emiratis and expatriates) suffer from Type 2 diabetes due to their bad lifestyle choices. Dr Faqrooqi said one out of five people who has diabetes does not know that their eyes can be seriously damaged because of the affliction. He said the new centre will also enhance the capacity for retinal imaging and podiatry facility, both of which are critical for early diagnosis of complications in diabetics. He said a congress like this makes people aware of the dangers of the life-long disease. "Most important is that we get to know what international experts are doing elsewhere and what are the best practices in the care of diabetics." The congress has attracted a record 14,600 participants and is the first to be held in the Middle East.