- Studies indicate a lack of health knowledge about diabetes among populations, which has implications for health behaviors, medication adherence, and treatment outcomes.
- Only a small proportion of patients in the region have been found to regularly monitor their blood glucose levels.1
- There were over 1 million cases of diabetes in UAE in 2015.
Dubai, UAE, 1 August 2017: To enable health care providers and patients to effectively manage diabetes, Sanofi, in partnership with Roche Diabetes Care, are introducing ‘My Star Starter Kits’ in UAE and the region. The aim is to channel knowledge, health beliefs, as well as influence adherence to medication and lifestyle measures that can aid diabetic patients cope well in the long run.
The ‘Starter Kit’ offers easy-to-use resources, information and tools that can improve a patient’s understanding of their condition. The objective is to support patients through their journey with diabetes by providing them with useful information on day to day concerns, facilitate regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, and improve awareness on the benefits of effective diabetes management.
The kit consists of various components including a diabetes general education booklet, a sugar log book and a blood glucose machine to measure their blood sugar levels.
“At Sanofi, we believe in constantly furthering our commitment to improve patient lives and contributing to the growth of healthy societies. With the launch of ‘My Star Starter Kits’, our aim is to empower healthcare professionals and their patients to use innovative approaches that are scientifically proven, and can help in effective control of diabetes in UAE and the region.” said Jean-Paul Scheuer, Country Chair and General Manager for Sanofi Gulf.
The starter kits will be distributed to physicians treating patients across UAE, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain. In turn, the treating physician will share the starter kits with suitable patients, introduce them to the items included in their kits, and explain how these can be used to improve their well-being and diabetes control. In UAE, the ‘Starter Kits’ will be available for patients in private as well as government hospitals including facilities managed by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dubai Health Authority and SEHA. The initiative is being rolled out in three phases across GCC countries this year, reaching over 15000 patients.
“Health awareness is an important determinant of how diabetes patients manage the progress of their condition. The lack of awareness impacts health behaviors and medication adherence, which can have negative implications for treatment outcomes. Reasons could include not understanding the importance of treatment protocols, not knowing how to do it, or lacking the desire to follow medical advice. Having the ‘Starter Kits’ will help us educate our patients, give them the right tools to manage their condition and encourage them to proactively take care of their health,” commented Abdulrazzaq Al Madani, Consultant Endocrinology and Head of Emirates Diabetes Society.
“At Roche Diabetes Care, we strive to help people with diabetes worry less about their daily diabetes management routines and experience true relief. For people with diabetes, simplifying the management of their condition can be an essential part of championing their own health and wellness. We are happy to be a part of an integrated effort through the launch of the ‘My Star Starter Kits’. We hope that many members of the community will benefit from the initiative and allow them to learn more about diabetes, while helping them live healthier by staying in range.” said Mr. Fadi Gedeon, General Manager of Roche Diabetes Care Middle East.
The increased prevalence of diabetes in Middle Eastern countries is a major health concern. Lifestyle interventions and adherence to medications are central to disease prevention and management.1 The efforts are being driven in alignment with the GCC strategy to reduce the incidence and effectively manage non-communicable diseases like diabetes in the region.
