Health Authority - Abu Dhabi announces 1st International Abu Dhabi Diabetes Congress

The three day conference will bring together over 20 leading experts from Europe, the USA and the UAE, including some of the world's leading researchers; Professor Clifford J Bailey of Aston University, UK; Professor Ele Ferrannini of the University of Pisa, Italy; and Prof. Luc Van Gaal of Antwerp University Hospital, Belgium, Ulf Smith, President of EASD and Phillip Halban from Switzerland.

The congress aims to address the identification, causes and prevention of diabetes mellitus, relating factors such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases and the latest in management and treatment strategies.

H.E. Engineer Zaid Al Siksek, CEO of HAAD said:

"At HAAD we are committed to supporting the continuing development of our healthcare professionals and combating the incidence of diabetes through education and training. We are delighted that Abu Dhabi's first international diabetes congress will be attended by some of the industry's great minds, and we are sure that all delegates will take back a wealth of experience and education to share with their patients and fellow colleagues."

According to the latest research, diabetes mellitus is the second leading cause of death in the UAE and affects approximately 25% of UAE Nationals. Diabetes mellitus is the condition used to describe patients who have high blood sugar levels, due to poor absorption of glucose into the body. For this to occur, either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin which breaks down the glucose for absorption into the body, or the insulin that is produced doesn't work properly. Type I diabetes usually occurs earlier in life and results from the loss of pancreatic cells producing insulin, whilst Type II diabetes often occurs after the age of 40 and results from resistance to or insufficient production of insulin produced in the body.

Whilst diabetes mellitus has many causes and often results as a culmination of multiple risk factors, cardiovascular disease and obesity represent significant confounding factors for the incidence of Type II diabetes. In order to combat the high prevalence of this life threatening condition, a combination of management, lifestyle and pharmacological factors need to be addressed.

The 1st International Abu Dhabi Diabetes Congress will be an opportunity for healthcare professionals to observe and share best practice examples amongst peers, and take these examples back into their communities.