Finland may hold answer to solving ‘diabetes crisis’ in UAE

DUBAI // As prevalence rates nudge towards epidemic proportions in the UAE, Finland could hold the key to solving the country’s obesity and diabetes crisis.

Change is needed, with global research from 2013 showing more than 66 per cent of men and 60 per cent of women in the UAE are overweight or obese and susceptible to diabetes.

A decade-long National Diabetes Programme in Finland is in its sixth year, with formal evaluations carried out to see who is at risk of diabetes having a positive impact in a number of areas of care.

Diabetes accounts for 11 per cent of total healthcare spending in Finland and there are an estimated 200,000 people with undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes.

Health assessment prevention activities take place for those identified as high risk. They begin with a series of detailed health examinations, monitoring weight, height, waist circumference and body-mass.

The project comprises three concurrent strategies: screening people who are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, management of risk factors through lifestyle counselling and early diagnosis and management to prevent complications among those newly affected by diabetes.

Groups of high-risk patients meet regularly with nurses to discuss preventative activities, goals, motivation and peer support.

In primary care facilities, 300 primary and occupational healthcare centres with 900 physicians and 2,000 nurses are currently taking part in screening, diagnosis and interventions.