Free diabetes monitoring device for Emiratis

Representational Image

Finally, a big relief for hundreds of Emiratis suffering from diabetes in the emirate. A wearable, needle-free glucose monitoring device is made available free for Emiratis.
Dubai Health Authority (DHA) said it has begun providing diabetic patients with the new glucose monitoring system from Sunday, free for Emiratis, adding that it is available in 'affordable prices' for expats. The new non-invasive monitor will benefit both Emiratis and expats, some of who have been testing their blood sugar by pricking themselves more than eight times daily.
In the UAE, almost 20 per cent of the population is diabetic and another 20 per cent is pre-diabetic. "Controlling blood sugar is less expensive than long term treatment," said Dr Ali Sayed, Director of Pharmacy at DHA, while referring to the cost of the monitor.
Humaid Al Qattami, Chairman of the Board and the Director-General, said: "Providing this state-of-the-art device to diabetics will lead to an enhanced monitoring of glucose levels, better quality of life for our patients and a drop in the rate of diabetes complications."
However, all patients need a DHA doctor's prescription to be able to pick up the device.
The no-finger prick flash glucose monitoring system provides round-the-clock monitoring.
Patients need to stick-on a sensor and they can scan themselves as many times in a day as they like. The scan takes only one second and shows patients their current glucose reading, an eight-hour glucose history and a trend arrow that depicts where their blood sugar is heading.
The new flash glucose monitoring system - that is worn on the upper arm - eliminates the discomfort associated with pricks; the sensor is a stick-on, needs to be changed every two weeks and is waterproof.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

Asma Ali Zain

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com