Conducting 150,000 early detection tests for diabetes nationwide

The Ministry of Health and Community Protection, in cooperation with Merck Gulf, reviewed the results of the national campaign launched by the Ministry in October 2023 For early detection of type 2 diabetes, within the government business accelerators program, with the aim of enhancing its prevention and achieving the targets of the national index for reducing rate Its spread In the UAE, at a conference ISPOR Europe 2025.

This offer reflects the outcomes of the campaign that lasted for a full year, and exceeded the target number for early detection of diabetes by more than 150 One thousand examinations at the country level compared to the set goal, which is100 One thousand examinations, which reflects the efficiency of the national model and the integration of efforts between health authorities, in addition to strategic partnerships with the private sector, which contributes to enhancing the quality of life in the country.

The results of the campaign, which the Ministry reviewed during the conference, showed that 26.5% of individuals in high-risk groups were diagnosed with pre-diabetes, while infection was found 7.6% of them are actually infected with the disease, and the results also showed that there are differences related to age and gender, which highlights the importance of targeted screening and early preventive interventions, in addition to linking the screening results to follow-up and treatment courses.

The results also showed that promoting healthy lifestyles contributed to the return of 8.1% of people with pre-diabetes reach normal levels of glycemic index (HbA1c) within six months, compared to the condition developing into type 2 diabetes in 1Only % of participants, which reflects the effectiveness of the preventive approach adopted by the Ministry in order to sustain a healthy, preventive and safe society.

The role of national campaigns

The Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Health Sector at the Ministry of Health and Community Protection, Dr. Hussein, confirmed this RandDiabetes and pre-diabetes represent a prominent public health challenge, and national screening initiatives, most notably the national campaign for early detection of diabetes, play a pivotal role in to set Categories Most susceptible To injury, which Contribute in Prevention from serious complications, and reducing the health and economic burdens on the country, noting that giving priority to periodic examination of the groups most at risk of infection, and promoting a culture of prevention, constitute two basic pillars towards building a healthier and more sustainable Emirati society, as early detection is not just a preventive measure, but rather a strategic priority that is consistent with the vision of the wise leadership to build a proactive, resilient and health-conscious society.

National indicators

For her part, Head of the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health at the Ministry of Health and Community Protection, Dr. Buthaina Bin Balila, said that presenting the results of the national campaign for early detection of diabetes in a specialized international conference confirms the success of the Emirati experience in managing noncommunicable diseases, and reflects the effectiveness of the strategy led by the Ministry in enhancing community awareness, linking early screening with follow-up and treatment paths, and employing digital transformation to reach the groups most at risk, in a way that supports the achievement of national indicators and enhances the sustainability of public health.

The importance of partnerships

For his part, the General Manager of Merck Gulf, Ahmed Abu Al-Fadl, pointed out that diabetes still constitutes one of the most important health challenges in the Gulf region, which emphasizes the role of partnerships between the government and private sectors to advance progress, explaining that combining scientific accuracy and cooperation in the field of public health helps build Solutions Data-based that contributes to supporting national policies and enabling healthier communities in our region, pointing out the importance of exchanging expertise and reviewing experiences in major conferences such as ISPOR Europe 2025It is considered one of the most prominent international conferences specialized in health economics and health outcomes research.