Over 2,000 Dubai residents underwent free glucose check-ups in only two days at various venues of a diabetes awareness campaign this week.

The campaign, , launched by AXA Insurance Gulf, in partnership with Carrefour and Kims Medical Centre, were held at the Deira City Centre and AXA shop in Dubai Mall, said a statement.
 
It runs till mid-December across the UAE and is being held under the theme ‘Better Care About People,’ and is aimed at raising awareness about diabetes among the UAE population.

Free blood glucose screening camps are also scheduled to be held at AXA shops at Dubai Internet City and at Carrefour in the Mall of the Emirates and Mirdif City Centre on November 29 and 30.

The camps will encompass free blood glucose tests for public under the supervision of authorised doctors and nurses from Kims Medical Centre across the UAE.

Jérôme Droesch, CEO of AXA Insurance Gulf, said: “The response to the campaign has been overwhelming. To have over 2,000 people checked in just two days shows the need for building further awareness and demonstrate the success of such initiatives.”

“If one wishes to know more about diabetes – either on the ideal blood sugar levels or the symptoms of diabetes or ways to prevent or live with diabetes, we have experts to respond to any query,” added Jérôme.

Kumaresh Babu, chief operating officer of Kims Medical Centre, said: “As part of this campaign, we are strongly advocating lifestyle changes, followed by risk reduction and we are happy to be working closely with AXA, Carrefour and the Ministry of Health in fighting this disease.”

The Diabetes Awareness Campaign is part of AXA’s corporate responsibility, and is integral to the company’s commitment to build better understanding about the health risks faced by individuals and the society at large due to diabetes.

Globally, over 366 million people suffered from diabetes in 2011, and by 2030, over 552 million would be diagnosed by the illness. A vast majority of people with diabetes are between 40 to 59 years of age, with over 183 million (50 per cent) unaware that they suffer from the condition.

The Mena region has seen an explosion of diabetes in recent times and it is estimated that over 26.6 million people are living with diabetes in the region and this figure is expected to double in the next 20 years. - TradeArabia News Service