UAE Diabetes Prevention Drive Gains Momentum on World Diabetes Day
The UAE marked World Diabetes Day on November 14 under the theme “Diabetes across life stages.” Health authorities across the country renewed efforts to fight diabetes through prevention, awareness, and early diagnosis. Officials said strong public health programmes remain essential for protecting communities and improving quality of life.
Smart Prevention Plans
Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, called diabetes control a national priority. He said the UAE continues building a proactive healthcare system that focuses on prevention before treatment. In addition, he encouraged residents to undergo early screening for pre-diabetes and related health risks.
Officials also highlighted the growing use of smart technologies in healthcare services. These systems help doctors identify high-risk groups earlier and improve disease management. As a result, healthcare teams can provide support before conditions become severe.
Data-Driven Healthcare
Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, stressed the importance of lifestyle changes. He explained that Type 2 diabetes often links closely to unhealthy habits and limited physical activity.
He also highlighted the Population Health Intelligence platform. The system combines clinical, environmental, and lifestyle data to track health trends. Therefore, medical teams can respond faster and create better prevention programmes for residents.
UAE Expands Early Screening
Dubai Health Authority officials said the country has made important progress in reducing diabetes rates. Recent surveys showed diabetes prevalence in Dubai dropped from 13.7 percent in 2019 to 12.9 percent in 2024.
Authorities also reported positive improvements in childhood obesity and physical activity rates. Furthermore, Sharjah Health Authority officials urged residents to maintain healthy diets, stay active, and attend regular medical check-ups. They said prevention remains the strongest defence against diabetes and other chronic diseases. Experts believe community awareness campaigns will further strengthen long-term diabetes prevention efforts nationwide.
