More than 10,000 expected to walk against diabetes. WALK UAE 2010 ‘START WALKING. LIVE HEALTHILY’ In support of World Diabetes Day Starts at 3pm on Friday November 26 2010 YAS Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE
The National Health Insurance Company – Daman is onboard to support the fourth annual diabetes walkathon organised by Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC) later this month (November 26 2010).
Walk UAE 2010 is part of ICLDC’s award-winning public health awareness campaign held under the patronage of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak.
According to the ICLDC’s Medical & Research Director and Consultant Endocrinologist, Dr Maha Taysir Barakat, this year’s event will be held at the capital’s Yas Marina Circuit for the second year running.
“In 2009, more than 10,000 walkers joined Walk UAE and paced the five kilometre route around the F1 circuit. We have high hopes that we shall attract equal if not greater support this year.”
Dr Maha also confirmed that the National Health Insurance Company – Daman is onboard as the event’s sole sponsor, a position it has held from the outset.
She said that recent figures peg diabetes prevalence in the UAE at 18.7 per cent of the adult population, the second highest worldwide.
“If you are predisposed to diabetes, you can reduce your risk of developing it by up to 58 per cent simply by following a healthy lifestyle with regular physical activity such as brisk walking.”
Daman’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Michael Bitzer, said Daman is committed to educating the community on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
“Daman is committed to actively educate the public on various health issues through health awareness campaigns. ICLDC’s annual Walkathon provides a perfect platform for us to meet this promise.
“We launched a disease management programme at the beginning of 2009 to members living with diabetes. Patients are guided and coached on leading healthier lifestyles to avoid complications and reduce the need for medical treatment and hospitalisation.”
He said that the annual Walkathon is a great complement to this programme by promoting a healthy lifestyle to control and prevent diabetes.
“Walk UAE has shown that it has the ability to draw public attention to the importance of regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle agenda that is good for all the family,” he concluded.