26.6 million diabetics in Middle East

We are counting 26.6million diabetic patients across the Middle East and North Africa region and the number could simply double during the next two decades unless immediate measures are taken, UAE’s Ministry of Health has warned.

The ministry has termed diabetes as one of the biggest health threats and challenges invading the MENA region today. “It is affecting the lives of men, women and children. Currently, in the MENA region alone there are an estimated 26.6 million people living with diabetes. According to recent estimates, the number is set to almost double to 51.7 million people by 2030, which will have a significant impact on health systems, governments and economies if no action is taken now,” it warned.

UAE’s leads the list of countries with one of the highest number of diabetes cases per capita.

The UAE Ministry of Health in cooperation with the executive board of the Health Ministers’ Council for GCC States and its strategic partners will co- host the MENA Diabetes Leadership Forum on 12-13 December 2010. The forum will be a starting point to explore changing and innovative methods at both national and regional levels, stipulate diabetes on the priorities of government health policies in the region, and train specialists to screen diabetes at early stages before it is too late.

This two-day event will also examine the impact of diabetes and adopt national-specific action plans with clear steps on how to prioritise diabetes on national agendas, dedicate resources, train healthcare professionals, detect diabetes and people at high risk of developing diabetes at an earlier stage, and raise awareness.
 

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