ICLDC announces the second annual diabetes awareness walkathon to mark World Diabetes Day 2008

The walkathon, WALK UAE 2008, is set for November 14 2008 in the capital Abu Dhabi with more that 10,000 walkers targeted, up 100% from 2007.

Last year's flagship event was dubbed WALK UAE 2007 - 'START WALKING. PREVENT DIABETES'. Over 5,000 participants comprising individuals, corporate teams, institutions and officials walked the five kilometre stretch along Abu Dhabi Corniche in the fight against diabetes. The National Insurance Company - Daman, and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority were among leading organisations who threw their weight behind the initiative.

According to sources, the UAE has the second highest prevalence of diabetes worldwide and recent figures suggest that one out of five people in the UAE aged 20 to 79 already lives with diabetes.

Worldwide, 246 million people live with diabetes and experts suggest that this figure is likely to reach 380 million within 20 years if preventive measures are not taken.

Meanwhile, the World Diabetes Day Resolution of 2006 recognises diabetes as a chronic and costly disease that poses severe risks for families, countries and the entire world. The UN has pledged its support to World Diabetes Day and encourages countries to act now to reverse the diabetes epidemic. Regular exercise, even walking, is one recommended route to keeping the debilitating disease at bay.

Dr Maha Taysir Barakat, Consultant Endocrinologist and Medical & Research Director at the Centre said: "Educating the public about diabetes and its complications, as well as offering them specialised diabetes care and management is a key focus of the ICLDC."
She said that ICLDC's walkathon plays a crucial role in giving the community an opportunity to join in the nation's effort to manage the disease.

WALK UAE 2008 will mark World Diabetes Day (on November 14) in UAE.