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• World Records and Football Stars kick off Dubai’s largest Diabetes-awareness Drive 

Unite for Diabetes 2008, Ibn Battuta Mall’s diabetes awareness campaign, was formally inaugurated by prominent Ministry of Health officials HE Nasser Al Budoor (Assistant Under Secretary and Director – HE Health Minister’s Office) and Dr. Muna Al Kawari  (Director – Primary Healthcare) today.
 
In line with the global focus for World Diabetes Day (Nov 14) on Diabetes in children and adolescents, the campaign has launched a drive to raise awareness about the condition among the youth of the city. The Campaign is also supported by Dubai HealthCare City.
 
“Diabetes is a seriously debilitating condition that is afflicting the youth of the UAE. As the younger generation become increasingly accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle, the potential for it to explode into an epidemic is rising. Under the circumstances, it is imperative for the government and private institutions like Ibn Battuta Mall to work hand in hand to spread awareness and advocate a new way of life,” stated Dr. Muna Al Kawari, Director, Primary Healthcare, Ministry of Health.
 
Mr. Nasser Al Budoor and Dr. Muna Al Kawari and also contributed the first two blue circles on the Ring of Hope which is in the running to become the world’s largest blue circle collage. Each small blue circle is priced at AED 10 and Ibn Battuta Mall is counting on public generosity to make the world record and raise a substantial amount for the Diabetes department of the Ministry of Health.
 
UAE National Team members and football stars Adil Abdul-Aziz and Ismail Al-Hammadi from Al Ahli and Issa Ali and Majed Nasser from Al Wasl kicked off a string of fun charity activities with the first few rounds at the penalty shoot-out.
 
“We are hoping to draw a cross-section of people into the mall through the various activities but most of all we hope to attract the youngsters and raise their awareness about the condition, the known causes, the consequences and the complexities,” stated David Thurling, Managing Director, Nakheel Shopping Malls Group.
 
Jebel Ali Hospital, Ibn Battuta Mall’s principle partner in the campaign will offer free medical and nutritional consultations throughout the five day programme. “The first step towards raising diabetes awareness is to get as many people tested as possible. The more data we assimilate, the more we can understand the factors leading to its rise spread in the region and work towards a focused preventative approach,” stated Advet Bambhani, CEO, Jebel Ali Hospital.
 
The campaign will run from 10^th to 15^th November, in line with World Diabetes Day on 14^th November 2008, with the activities open to the public from 3 pm onwards.
 
For more information on the campaign, please log on to www.ibnbattutamall.com

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