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‘Start Walking’ to prevent diabetes
‘Start Walking’ to prevent diabetes Olivia Olarte-Ulherr / 20 June 2013 A 30-minute brisk walk everyday can help, manage, reverse and even prevent diabetes. So, start walking. This was the message imparted by health and sports officials on Wednesday during the launch of ‘Start Walking’, a public health awareness campaign by the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC). Richard Cregan, Dr Maha Taysir Barakat, Suhail Al Ansari and Dr Michael Bitzer during the launch of the ‘Start Walking’ campaign in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. — KT photo by Shoaib Anwer Part of the ICLDC’s seventh ‘Diabetes-Knowledge-Action’ annual campaign, ‘Start Walking’ aims to encourage individuals, groups and organisations to hold mini-walks from now till November in the lead-up to Walk 2013 walkathon at Yas Marina Circuit on November 15, the day after World Diabetes Day. “Studies have shown that 150 minutes per week or 30 minutes per day of brisk walking can reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes by 58 per cent. That’s a huge reduction and we recommend this for everybody,” said Dr Maha Taysir Barakat, director-general of Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD). According to 2012 figures from the International Diabetes Federation, the UAE ranked 11 th worldwide in the prevalence of diabetes with an estimated 18.9 per cent of the adult population (20-79 years) living with the disease. “A relative improvement,” said Dr Barakat, noting that the UAE at one stage was top two. She attributed this to the efforts and initiatives, both at the local and federal level, as well as the media in raising awareness at schools and improving the community’s lifestyle. “It’s a remarkable impact when there are concerted efforts,” she pointed out. She stated, however, that 18.9 per cent is still “far too high”, three times the normal average of six per cent diabetes prevalence worldwide. Thus, more efforts are needed to encourage people here to be fit and healthy. This means doing physical activity such as exercise, having a healthy diet, maintaining normal body weight, smoking cassation and cutting down on salt intake, among others. Walking events that have been scheduled as part of the campaign include a 3km brisk walk on the ICLDC premises in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain on June 24, and ‘Take the Stairs Day’ at Daman’s office and the ICLDC’s centres on July 1. “Let us encourage one another, take the steps. Park your car a bit further and walk. A healthier workforce translates to more productivity,” remarked Suhail Al Ansari, executive director of Mubadala Healthcare and Chairman of the ICLDC. At the Yas Marina Circuit, host venue for Walk 2013, TrainYAS and GoYAS fitness sessions on the track is being held weekly. “We too want more people to put on their walking shoes and join us each week. Talking while walking is a great, family-friendly way to catch up on your day and keep fit together,” said Richard Cregan, CEO of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management. Noting the financial impact and the social implication of diabetes if action is not taken now, Dr Michael Bitzer, CEO of the National Health Insurance Company, Daman, stressed the “fun” factor in walking. “We do not only focus that walking is healthy, walking can be fun (too). Have fun, then you can do it everyday,” he said. Daman will be participating this year through its health and lifestyle programme ‘ActiveLife’. Coming events 3km walk on ICLDC premises in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain on June 24 ‘Take the Stairs Day’ at Daman’s office and the ICLDC’s centres on July 1 Walk 2013 at Yas Marina Circuit on November 15 olivia@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Drug price rise angers patients
Drug price rise angers patients Asma Ali Zain / 20 June 2013 Prices of hundreds of essential medicines will be reduced by June 30, announced a senior health official even as some medicines, mostly over-the-counter drugs such as cough syrups and painkillers, have become costlier since the start of the month. While a price cut in 6,600 chronic drugs of up to 40 per cent announced by the health ministry came into effect earlier last month, prices of a few other medicines by a couple of well-known brands were increased from between Dh2 and Dh150. Pharmacists have estimated the price increase at around 20 per cent. “We admit that the prices of certain medicines (around 329) have gone up…but this was not in our control largely due to dollarisation,” said Dr Amin Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Practices and Licensing at the health ministry while speaking to Khaleej Times on Wednesday. “But we are in talks with the companies and I promise that prices of hundreds of medicines (not all at once) will be reduced by June 30,” he said. Dr Amiri, while referring to the price reduction announcement made by the ministry earlier this month said: “Though the decrease is seemingly nominal, the real achievement is that the ministry has not allowed an increase that could have been up to 40 per cent but has managed to keep the prices of about 5,000 products stagnant.” “This is a big success.” He said that the reductions had been done by the manufacturers. As per the increased prices of OTC drugs, a popular brand of painkillers (tablets) that was earlier available for Dh49.50, is now priced at Dh62. Likewise, multivitamins earlier priced at Dh30 are now available for Dh40 while a cough syrup earlier available for Dh11 now costs Dh13.50. A medicine for treatment of urine incontinency in children earlier cost Dh199 and is now priced at Dh340. Likewise a well-known folic acid brand has increased to Dh65 from Dh45. Pharmacists who spoke on condition of anonymity said that though the new prices of chronic drugs, including those to treat diabetes and hypertension were in place now, the applicable price cuts ranged between 50 fils to Dh1 only. “Patients ask for discounts but our profit margins are already less so it is now difficult to give any discounts,” said one pharmacist. Another pharmacist said that though the ministry price cuts were applicable on over 6,000 medicines, nearly 3,000 of those listed medicines were not being sold in individual, small scale pharmacies. “These medicines might be available for sale in pharmacies within hospitals, but we do not stock these drugs,” he explained. “So when patients ask us for the cheaper medicines that were promised, we have no suitable reply.” A number of patients said that their out-of-pocket spending on essential medicines had doubled. “I thought medicine prices had been reduced but my pharmacist has now also refused to give me a discount,” said Mohammed Sharif who now pays Dh2.50 extra for a cough and cold medicine that he had been using earlier. “For me to pay nearly Dh5 more for a particular brand of nasal drops that I use regularly is too much to afford…I will have to go for a cheaper medicine,” said Mariam Osman, who suffers from sinusitis. “These price increases are too high, especially for medicines that are used on a daily basis such as nasal drops and multivitamins,” she added. Bilal Ahmed, who has to consume folic acid daily, hoped that the price reductions would come soon. Dr Amiri said after implementation of price reductions, medicines in the UAE will be the lowest priced in the GCC region. asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Dubai building hailed for its sustainability
The eco-friendly headquarters of The Change Initiative – a UAE-based sustainability organisation – has broken a world record.Leaders of the US Green Building Council confirmed the property had posted an unrivalled score of 107 under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) sustainability guidelines, beating the previous record of 104.The LEED Platinum index is used to monitor how environmentally-friendly buildings are and the maximum overall rating is 110.It should come as no surprise that The Change Initiative has landed the prestigious accreditation, as the business is centred around encouraging people to live more sustainably. The firm supplies household products, appliances and building solutions that are aimed at reducing harmful carbon emissions.Chief executive and founder of The Change Initative Gundeep Singh said achieving LEED Platinum certification is a proud moment for Dubai and the UAE as a whole.”We look forward to working closely with all of our stakeholders and together taking small steps on our journey towards responsible living across the UAE,” he remarked.Meanwhile, chairman of the enterprise Loek Malmberg thanked the UAE government for its policy of helping small and medium-sized businesses to flourish.”Dubai increasingly understands the importance of introducing more sustainable practices in order to safeguard its long-term prosperity,” he commented.There has been a concerted effort from the government and building developers in recent years to ensure Dubai becomes a more eco-friendly emirate.The city is renowned for its massive skyscrapers and record-breaking constructions – and with experts predicting a further 28,000 residential properties to be built this year – it is important the sheikhdom minimises its impact on the environment.Last month, AMEinfo reported that the Dubai Land Department had joined forces with the Arab League to stage the first ever Arab International Sustainable Real Estate Conference in the UAE.Organisers of the event said the fact it was being held in Dubai reflected the city's commitment to promoting sustainability throughout the construction industry.The First Group can help you find superb properties for sale in Dubai Continue reading
