Published: 25 November 2007

Need to give top priority to diabetes prevention

By S. Ismail (Our staff reporter)

RAS AL KHAIMAH — The fight against diabetes should be given top priority and dealt with on a national scale by the Ministry of Health if the scourge is to be eradicated in the country, said a senior doctor from Julphar Pharmaceuticals Industries in Ras Al Khaimah.

Speaking to Khaleej Times at the inauguration of the company’s seventh plant in the UAE, Dr  Walid Elsawy, Insulin Product Manager at Julphar, said the company will cooperate with the Ministry of Health in the fight against diabetes.

“We are making efforts to help diabetes patients by offering them a complete range of oral anti-diabetes medication and insulin,” he said.

He said the Ministry of Health must strengthen efforts in collaboration with doctors and pharmacists to fight the epidemic and increase awareness among the people.

He suggested that the nation should earmark a national day for the fight against diabetes as this would increase awareness among diabetics and those who are potentially vulnerable to the disease.

He noted that the factors that lead to diabetes among people in the UAE, especially those between 20 and 80 years, are consumption of fast food containing low calories, lack of exercise, lack of awareness about diabetes, its symptoms and the genetic factors.