January 22, 2018; Ras Al Khaimah, UAE:  Hundreds of residents in the UAE could be suffering from diabetes without being aware of the fact, leading to severe repercussions, warned doctors at RAK Hospital, urging people to recognize the symptoms of the disease. The warning came at the hospital’s comprehensive Diabetes screening programme, the Blue Ring Challenge where many UAE residents were newly diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes during the screening. 

 

“While there are no symptoms or signs of diabetes in the early stages, if the blood sugar starts getting very high it can cause fatigue, weight gain followed by weight loss, blurry vision, irritability, increased thirst, hunger and frequent urination,” said Dr Zain Gulzar, Consultant Endocrinologist at RAK Hospital, “For example, during the screening, we came across a RAK taxi driver, whose sugar level was as high as 500, and he had failed to recognize any symptoms. He was immediately rushed into the emergency and given insulin to bring down the sugar level. His condition was quite dangerous, and could have even resulted in coma.”

 

As per the data derived from the campaign, 15 percent of the diabetic patients were newly diagnosed during the screening, while 41 percent were found to be in pre-diabetic stage. However, they were not aware of their condition. 

 

Asserting the need to create awareness on diabetes, and to recognize its symptoms, Dr Raza Siddiqui, CEO Arabian Healthcare Group, and Executive Director RAK Hospital called out for regular mass screenings and related talks. 

 

“As a healthcare institution, it is our duty to promote awareness on various ailments that plague our society, particularly diabetes which is found among one in five UAE residents. We hope that this screening, which helped many identify their high sugar levels, will be instrumental in catching the disease in its early stages and help the patients manage it better for a more fruitful, active and healthier lifestyle. More importantly, it is imperative that people should get themselves screened at least once a year for all chronic ailments, especially diabetes,” advised Dr Siddiqui.

 

“Due to the huge success and demand of our Diabetes Screening Program, we have further extended the duration, though initially the plan was to run only a month-long campaign. The prevalence of Diabetes in UAE and the fact that so many are still undiagnosed and at the danger of this life threatening condition, it becomes our duty and responsibility to help people identify the condition and manage it properly with expert guidance. Since proper management is the best cure”, commented Dr. Yasmin Shaikh, Group Marketing Manager, Arabian Healthcare Group, RAK Hospital’s parent company.

 

The Blue Ring Challenge that ran across Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai, screened thousands of UAE residents for diabetes. The campaign was introduced in nearly 40 corporate houses and schools in both the emirates. These included: Dubai Police, Guardian Glass, RAK Ceramics, GEMS school, Al Hamra Mall, RAK Mall, Manar Mall, Al Hamra Real Estate, Mahindras, Ice Land, School Staffs & parents of RAK Schools, Neuron TPA, Pentacare TPA, RAKMHSU, RAK Dental College and many more.