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Tests find health officials ‘unhealthy’
DUBAI - A health check on health officials has shown shocking results – a considerable increase in the number of diabetes cases over the years.
Four kinds of tests conducted on the Ministry of Health officials earlier this month revealed that a number of those tested were not as healthy as perceived, said an official from the ministry.
A total of 133 staff out of the 405 employees at the Dubai offices of the ministry and medical district took the tests under a campaign launched by the Health Enhancement and Education Department at the ministry. The campaign was launched by the Minster of Health, Dr Hanif Hassan Ali Al Qassim.
Of those tested, 36 employees were found to be obese while two critical cases of diabetes were referred to hospitals. A comparative study done with similar statistics obtained in 2007 showed that the diabetes data was worse this year.
“The positive side of the tests was that we found two critical cases of diabetes just in time,” explained Maysoon Al Shaer, a nutritionist and Deputy Director at the Health Enhancement and Education Department.
“One of the patients, despite being on medication, had very high blood sugar and could slip into a coma any time,” she said. He was referred to the hospital immediately.
The second case was unaware of his condition until the test and was also referred to a doctor, she said.
“We have not seen any progress in the health status of employees in all these years from 2007 to 2011,” said Maysoon.
Dr Salem Al Darmaki, Acting Undersecretary for the Ministry of Health and Dr Mahmood Fikri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practices and Licensing also underwent the health checks for blood pressure, diabetes, body mass index and osteoporosis.
None of the employees were found to be suffering from osteoporosis. “This is because some of the employees take nutritious supplements,” she added.
The ministry has drawn up long-term plans to counter non-communicable diseases in the community including diabetes and obesity, which officials, say are a burden on the exchequer. They also say education, calling for changes in lifestyle and mindset, can bring about the desired results.
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