App keeps tabs on UAE diabetics' levels

Diabetics might think they have heard it all when it comes to the gizmos rolled out to help manage their disorder, but the latest innovation takes glucose monitoring to the clouds.

DUBAI // Diabetics might think they have heard it all when it comes to the gizmos and gadgets rolled out to help manage their disorder, but the latest innovation takes glucose monitoring to the clouds.

The Sensei system, which may soon be available in the UAE, uses a Bluetooth-enabled glucose monitor and a smartphone app to gather and securely store information about a diabetic's insulin levels online, using a cloud-based system.

The patient's doctor can then monitor insulin levels remotely, and over a long period of time, to identify where a diabetic may be going wrong.

The app also gives users a daily menu to encourage healthy eating.

This system is being brought to the UAE by Kenneth Seymens and Yolanda Esparza, husband-and-wife IT veterans from California's Silicon Valley. Their Dubai-based company, MedicaIQ, has acquired the Middle East and North Africa rights.

The system would be the first of its kind in the region when a pilot scheme is launched.

Mr Seymens said his wife and he are is in talks with telecom, pharmaceutical, medical and software companies as possible partners.

For roll-out, the couple is hoping to partner with large employers, health insurance companies and health authorities, who could label the system as their product.

The UAE has the second highest level of diabetes in the world with a rate of 19.5 per cent, according to the International Diabetes Federation. (Only the Pacific island of Nauru has a higher rate.)

Dr Mina Milovanovic, a diabetes specialist at a Dubai clinic, said: "This app is a good idea as long as the doctor monitoring it can dedicate enough time to talk to that person and say, 'Look, your glucose readings are high today, what happened? Are you having a cold, or are you not eating correctly?'

"The diet side sounds good if the programme is well done and the nutritional facts are correct. Diabetics that need to use their insulin prior to their meals are quite aware of what they should be eating, but not everyone's compliant.

"If this is going to make them compliant, fine, but is it going to lock up their refrigerator?"