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National Diabetes Registry to keep tab of patients in UAE

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Health, Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qutami, announced the launch of the five-year long UAE Diabetes Care Continuum programme and the trial period of its web site (www.dcc.gov.ae)

The first ever national diabetes registry will be accessible to health professionals — both private and professionals. Details about the patients’ health will be listed, but will only be available to health professionals, said the minister.

Quoting recent statistics and citing the burden of the disease on the MoH, the minister said that in the UAE, 20 per cent of the population (over 20 years) was affected as compared to a five per cent in other countries. “According to statistics, nearly 75 per cent of UAE nationals die prematurely due to the disease,” he added.

Al Qutami also said that the programme aims at reducing the burden of diabetes in UAE through health education and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

Dr Mariam Matar, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health and Primary Health care and head of the UAE National Diabetes Committee, said, “A sum of Dh6 million is being spent on the registry, training of professionals and diabetes information during the first year of the programme that will last until 2010.

“We will ensure privacy of patients as the information will only be accessible to health professionals. At a later stage, the same will be added to the National Identity Card for all UAE residents,” she explained, adding that general information on diabetes will, however, be accessible to the patient and general public as well. “A national registry was required for a long time so that the MoH can furnish accurate statistics on the disease in the country,” admitted Dr Matar.

She also said that a diabetic clinic and research centre, comprising two departments would be set up under the programme while educational courses would be taught in primary schools next year. “In the same year, we will also dispatch four mobile clinics to all parts the country to impart information on the disease,” she explained.

“Additionally public awareness and early detection campaigns will be held, clinical guidelines will be updated, health care providers will be trained and research will be carried out through mini-clinics in primary health care and specialised diabetes centres.

On December 20, 2006, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 61/225 which recognises diabetes as “a chronic, debilitating and costly disease associated with major complications that pose severe risks for families, countries and the entire world.” Resolution 61/225 designates November 14, World Diabetes Day, as a United Nations Day to be observed every year starting from this year.

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