HealthPlus Diabetes and Endocrinology Center hosts an all-day Children’s Diabetes Awareness Event, in support of World Diabetes Day
Abu Dhabi – HealthPlus celebrated World Diabetes Day on the 14th of November by hosting a Children’s Diabetes Awareness Event, which took place at its recently inaugurated HealthPlus Diabetes and Endocrinology Center in Abu Dhabi. This fresh initiative included a full day of fun and educational crafts, live cooking stations, educational movies and other activities aimed at creating awareness amongst youngsters on how to prevent Diabetes and live a healthy and active lifestyle.
Children where educated on different aspects of Diabetes prevention, management and treatment by the multidisciplinary team of Consultant Diabetologists, Podiatrists, Nutritionists and Diabetes Educators available at HealthPlus. Consultant Opthalmologists from Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai were also available alongside the team from HealthPlus, performing eye screening exams for the children and educating them about the importance of eye care. This initiative came as an attempt to proactively contribute to the prevention of Diabetes and to counteract the alarming increase in diabetes cases within recent years.
Dr. Mohammed Al Khatib, Medical Director and Consultant Diabetelogist & Endocrinologist at HealthPlus affirmed:
“Recently we have seen more and more individuals and organizations getting involved in supporting the cause. However, everyone seems to be focusing on the adult population while ignoring the fact that the wellbeing of our future community lies in the hands of our youth. We strongly believe that if we were to bring down the number of Diabetes cases in this country, rated as the second highest in diabetes prevalence worldwide, we need to seriously start focusing on educating our children on this matter.”
Dr. Al-Khatib further added, “The program for the event was designed under the guidance of our partners – Diabetes Zentrum Mergentheim from Germany, who have vast knowledge and experience in running similar initiatives and are considered amongst the top rated providers of diabetes care and education in Europe”.
Mr. Majd Abuzant, CEO of HealthPlus network of specialized healthcare centers stated:
“This year’s Children’s Diabetes Awareness Day was a great success and strongly supported by many of the schools and parents in the Capital. The children learnt about the nutritional value of foods, as well as being able to differentiate between items high and low in sugars. Children also learnt about Diabetes related complications, eye and foot-care, and even hypoglycemia! All those who participated have indeed gained valuable knowledge, which they in turn can share with their siblings, parents and friends thus supporting the cause. Ultimately we would like to see this initiative reach out to children not just from Abu Dhabi but rather the whole United Arab Emirates. “
Aldar Academies was one of the institutions, which greatly supported this initiative by encouraging teachers and students to attend.
Commenting on the event Mr. Wayne Howsen, principal of Al Muna School declared:
“Today Year 5 Kingfishers of Al Muna School attended an educational day at Health Plus in support of World Diabetes Day. Children today are encouraged to make decisions for themselves but we need to give them the facts so that the decisions they make can be well informed and will have a positive impact on their lifestyles. We need to explain to them why they should or should not do things. This is the only way you will achieve long term results and ultimately Beat Diabetes. We have also found that by understanding more about the disease children can better empathize with others who have diabetes thus creating the supportive environment necessary at school and at home. We would definitely attend future events at Health Plus as we have had such positive experience”
About HealthPlus
‘HealthPlus’, Abu Dhabi’s growing network of premium outpatient centers, was established by UEMedical, the Abu Dhabi based healthcare investors and developers. The healthcare network provides state-of-the-art outpatient medical services and supports the multiple missions of UEMedical, including outstanding patient care and extensive community outreach. Over 20 facilities, adopting international standards and best practices, will open over the coming years and form part of an integrated healthcare delivery system including UEMedical’s flagship project, Danat Al Emarat Women and Children’s Hospital. The network comprises Centers of Excellence in a variety of specialties including Women’s Health, Fertility & Genetics, Day Surgery, Diabetes & Endocrinology, in addition to a number of Family Clinics and Pharmacies. The centers are heavily involved in promoting community health awareness and education, and in supporting national programs in line with the initiatives of the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi of improving public health. HealthPlus will fill the apparent gaps in the healthcare sector, and focus will continually be placed on medical excellence, patient-centeredness and unparalleled levels of customer service. For more information, please visit www.hplus.ae
HealthPlus network currently includes:
• Women’s Health Center – 02 643 3494
• Fertility Center – 02 643 3494
• Family Health Center, Al Bandar – 02 557 1818
• Diabetes & Endocrinology Center – 02 666 0363
• HealthPlus Pharmacies
For press enquiries, please contact:
Rania Akkela
Marketing & Communications Manager, UEMedical
M: 00971 56 6780665
T: 00971 2 6266805
F: 00971 2 6266897
E: rania.akkela@uems.ae
