As the public embraced walkathons and charity dinners for World Diabetes Day, the private sector continues to contemplate the impact of long-term campaigns aimed at tackling the issue. Smith & Nephew, one of the leading manufacturers of medical devices in the world, has been looking to expand its own operations in the region in the hopes of educating local practitioners on health care solutions related to this disease.
According to the UAE Ministry of Health, heart disease related to diabetes was the biggest killer in the UAE last year, comprising 31% of causes of deaths. The government has responded by committing increased resources to education and treatment campaigns. In March 2009, the Ministry of Health signed a contract to launch an extensive three year diabetes and atherothrombosis awareness campaign within the country.
Such action has prompted many in the private sector to look at the MENA region as a growing market not only in terms of education, but medical services that can treat symptoms of diabetes. Smith & Newton recently launched a Diabetic Foot Care Initiative in the MENA region in order to educate surgeons, physicians and nursing personnel on advanced treatments and current approaches to diabetic foot lesions. The initiative will carry on in 2010, including the continuation of training seminars already sponsored by the company in countries such as KSA and UAE.
Commenting on the need for healthcare solutions in the MENA region, Catherine Fijten, Product Manager for Smith & Nephew, said:
“Given the large incidence and prevalence of diabetes in the MENA region, we are committed as a company to bringing not only the latest and most advanced treatments to this region, but also to educate the local medical communities on the subject.”
Ultimately, companies like Smith & Nephew hope to encourage local governments to establish specialized diabetic care centres in their respective municipalities. In the UAE, care-givers at an average clinic see almost 25 new cases of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) every month, and the UAE spends between US $100-200 million (approximately Dhs 550 million) annually on treating diabetes. According to Ministry of Health representatives, that number that is likely to increase without serious counter-measures in fighting the disease.
“From a business perspective, there’s a lot that companies like ours can do in the region to develop new health care facilities that treat individuals suffering from diabetes,” commented Mr. Bryan Ladell, Divisional Manager of Advanced Wound Management at Smith & Nephew.
Just last week, the company supported the first “International Diabetic Foot and Lower Extremity Course” in Dubai. In the Middle East, 50% of diabetic patients develop a wound in their feet during their lifetime and 15% develop chronic ulcers. The two-day course—which was held in conjunction with the University of California San Diego Medical Center (UCSD)—was a huge success that brought together 31 surgeons and physicians from across the region. Professor Gerit Mulder, DPM and Professor Daniel K. Lee, DPM—both international authorities on the subject—were the guests of honour. The event focused on theoretical and practical aspects of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) management.
The prevalence of diabetes in the Middle East varies amongst age groups and countries, but averages around 30% region-wide (the global average rests at around 5%). Six of the ten countries with the highest prevalence-figures worldwide are in the Middle East, and the UAE has the world’s second highest rate of diabetes.
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