University Of Sharjah Collaborates With Ministry Of Health, Sanofi, Baker IDI And du For National Diabetes And Lifestyle Survey

The National Diabetes and Lifestyle Survey, a unique partnership between the Ministry of Health (MOH), the University of Sharjah and Sanofi, the exclusive health industry partner and Baker IDI are proud to announce the completion of the first phase of the survey and ongoing results analysis. For its part, du is providing researchers with the means to significantly speed up the survey process, while also improving on efficiency and data collection accuracy. On the other hand they are enthusiastic to announce the inauguration of the second phase of the study on the occasion of the World Diabetes Day. The survey is in collaboration with the Dubai Health Authority and Health Authority Abu Dhabi.

The first of its kind survey on the prevalence of diabetes on a national level, including both the local and expatriate population in the UAE, will survey over 6000 UAE residents across the seven emirates to collect actual data on the country’s most prevalent, threatening and expensive disease. With the results of the first phase currently being analyzed, the second phase will begin in December as the registry goes into the second year since its commencement.

du is supporting the initiative by connecting the project’s researchers, through the provision of Machine to Machine (M2M) data SIM cards with data allowance for the duration of the research. Real time data entry using 3G (M2M) du connectivity greatly enhanced the study both qualitatively and quantitatively; it offered speed, flexibility, cost effectiveness, reduced the workload of data collectors and minimized errors. Having internet connectivity at all times ensured that data was automatically stored, as it was directly linked and transferred to the MOH server and website on a question by question basis. Conducting interviews electronically takes half the time of traditional research methods and ensures that all questions are answered. Together with the other benefits of real time data entry a decision in favour of real time entry data proved to be both an efficient and a successful one.

Professor Hossam Hamdy, the Vice-chancellor of the University of Sharjah stated that the University of Sharjah is actively engaging in research to address national health priority areas including diabetes, cancer and reemergence of infectious diseases. This national study investigating environmental as well as genetic determinants of diabetes, will serve as a baseline for follow up studies.

Professor Nabil Sulaiman, Head of Department of Family and Community Medicine in the College of Medicine University of Sharjah, the Principal Investigator of the Study, said: “the scope of this survey is immense, and will provide us with vital information that will help determine the lifestyles and behaviour that have led to such an abundance of diabetes cases in the UAE. We are very thankful for the Ministry of Health’s role in this project and to Sanofi for providing substantial support and for du’s provision of data SIM cards; M2M technology will have a significant positive impact on how we conduct this survey.”

Dr Salah El Badawi, Director of The National Diabetes Program in The Ministry of Health said: “In the interest of public health, it is essential that we undertake initiatives such as this survey in order to determine the prevalence of the disease in the UAE. The survey’s findings will allow us to develop targeted programmes to combat the threat in the future. We would like to thank the University of Sharjah, Sanofi and du for their contributions to the well-being of the UAE’s residents.”

Ayman Mokthar, General Manager for Sanofi in the Gulf, said, “We are committed to the fight against diabetes, always striving to address the issues that affect our community’s wellbeing. We are aware that the prevalence has increased since the last survey done in 2005 but need to delve deeper into the situation so that we can better understand the current prevalence, contributing factors and identify areas that require more attention. The ultimate goal through this unique registry is to provide a clear picture for decision makers regarding the burden of the disease and the best way to manage this endemic.”

Dr Mansoor Anwar, Director - Medical and Occupational Health Services, du, said: “As a national company we have the health of UAE nationals and residents as our utmost priority. Diabetes is one of the biggest threats on the lives of the people living within the UAE, and we are proud to have the opportunity to contribute to the National Diabetes Epidemiology Survey to help combat this disease. Our collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the University of Sharjah demonstrates how telecommunications advances, such as M2M technologies, can be used in a socially responsible manner for the benefit of society.”

The survey and analysis of the study will last two years, and is being pioneered by a team of doctors nurses and researchers at the University of Sharjah and the Ministry of Health under the guidance of the Steering Committee Group whose members include Prof. Hamdy and Prof. Nabil Sulaiman (UOS), Dr. Fikri and Dr. Salah Badawi (MOH), Prof. Paul Zimment and Prof. Jonathan Shaw (Baker IDI), Dr. Mohammed Ismail (Sanofi), Dr. Abdelrazzag Madani and Dr. Fatheya AlAwadhi (DHA), Dr. Salah Abusnana and Mr. Hisham Siddeig (Rashid Center), Mr. Mamoon Kassab and Mr. Zaid Alqhadi (National Bureau of Statistics-Abudhabi) and Dr. Khalid Al Jabri (HAAD). Researchers will collect data about diabetes by taking blood samples and data about participants’ lifestyles and behavior as well as anthropometric and blood pressure measurements. This is the first time an ambitious project of this nature is being undertaken in the UAE, and is expected to generate landmark and significant knowledge about the prevalence of Diabetes, its interlink with lifestyles and how we can address its growing menace.

Emirate:  Sharjah

Date: Dec 3, 2013

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