Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Dubai-based volunteer support society, Friends for Diabetes (FFD), in a bid to improve access to care for people living with diabetes in the region.

Under the MoU, the two organizations will work closely towards reducing cases of diabetes in the region as well as ensure that those affected by the lifestyle disease receive the much needed assistance to effectively manage the condition.

Novo Nordisk will undertake to provide insulin treatment for 50 type 1 patients for one year, whereas FFD will facilitate the exercise in collaboration with the Emirati Red Crescent.

The partnership comes amid fears that the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) prevalence of diabetes is reportedly rising at an alarmingly faster rate than that of both MENA and the rest of the world.

According to the International Diabetes Foundation, the number of people living with diabetes in the UAE is expected to double, hitting over two million by the year 2040.

Diabetic experts in the region have attributed this meteoric rise to the region’s rapid economic growth, inactive lifestyle, as well as poor nutrition.

Speaking during the MoU signing ceremony held at a city hotel, Dr Ayman Hassan, General Manager at Novo Nordisk UAE, expressed optimism that the two organizations’ initiative will positively impact the region’s efforts towards curbing the rising cases of diabetes.

In the joint presser held under the patronage of the Royal Embassy of Denmark and in the presence of the Ambassador of Denmark to the UAE, H.E. Merete Juhl, and The Consul General H.E. Morten Siem Lynge, the partnership aims to create sustainable and long-term solutions that will drive change in the fight against diabetes.

“Diabetes is a huge burden on society and no single entity can combat it alone. It will require collaboration between different stakeholders to be able to address this serious issue efficiently and it is similar private public partnerships that give hope for addressing this serious issue. We are delighted to be partnering with Friends for Diabetes in pursuing a common cause to raise awareness towards proper management and to ensure access to care for better treatment with proper medicine supply to those who need it. In joining hands to help the region in its fight towards the prevention of diabetes, we are confident that our combined efforts will go a long way in making a positive impact in slowing down the prevalence rate significantly.” said Dr Ayman Hassan.

He also reaffirmed his team’s commitment to working closely with key stakeholders to raise awareness about the disease and improve access to diabetes care in the region.

On her part, H.E. Merete Juhl, Danish Ambassador to the UAE encouraged the efforts of both parties in the field of fighting Diabetes saying: “The Royal Embassy of Denmark in UAE is always supporting Danish Companies to grow their business and make their way to success.

We are participating in this press conference today, with Novo Nordisk as partner, placing focus on the Danish case of fighting Diabetes as part of the very strong performing healthcare sector in Denmark which is one of many factors behind the image of Denmark as the happiest nation in the world.”

FFD founder, Dr. Elham AL Amiri welcomed the partnership terming it as timely and noble. She said that the joint initiative will greatly raise awareness levels in the region as well as serve as a motivation towards proper management of the disease.

This partnership will go a long way in complementing Novo Nordisk’s ongoing programs, which are aimed at increasing awareness about diabetes, training and education, arranging activities around the World Diabetes Day, and sourcing and securing funds to support patients in need of treatment.

The MoU will also seek to address the numerous hurdles being faced by a huge number of expats’ children whereby the cost of medication and insurance coverage has continued to be a stumbling block.