AXA's Diabetes Awareness Campaign is a grand success – over 2,000 free check-ups in two days

Free camps at AXA Shop in DIC and Carrefour – Mall of the Emirates & Mirdif City Centre

The Diabetes Awareness Campaign, launched by AXA Insurance Gulf – one of the largest and the leading non-life international insurers in the region, in partnership with Carrefour and KIMS Medical Centre, has evoked a very encouraging response since the first week of its launch.

Over 2,000 residents underwent free glucose check-ups in only two days at the various venues of the Campaign – Deira City Centre and AXA shop in Dubai Mall, reflecting the success of the initiative.

The campaign, which runs till mid December across the UAE, is being held under the theme ‘Better Care About People'. The campaign, which coincides with the World Diabetes Month – November, is aimed at raising awareness about diabetes and its seriousness among the UAE population.

For those who missed the earlier check-ups, free blood glucose screening camps are scheduled to be held at AXA shops at Dubai Internet City and at Carrefour in the Mall of the Emirates and Mirdif City Centre on November 29 and 30.

The camps will encompass free blood glucose tests for public under the supervision of authorized doctors and nurses from KIMS Medical Centre across the UAE. Members of the public can visit any of these screening spots to check their blood glucose levels.

Jérôme Droesch, CEO of AXA Insurance Gulf, said: “The response to the Diabetes Awareness Campaign has been overwhelming. To have over 2,000 people checked in just two days shows the need for building further awareness and demonstrate the success of such initiatives. At AXA, we are committed to playing a positive role in the fight against this disease and we are thankful to our partners Carrefour and KIMS Medical Centre for their support.”

These camps not only conduct glucose checks, but are a treasure trove of information on diabetes. “If one wishes to know more about diabetes – either on the ideal blood sugar levels or the symptoms of diabetes or ways to prevent or live with diabetes, we have experts to respond to any query,” added Jérôme.

In his comments, Kumaresh Babu, Chief Operating Officer of KIMS Medical Centre, said: “We are thrilled with the response to the Diabetes Awareness Campaign in Dubai. This is a first step in our long journey to fight this menace and we are happy with the support of the UAE residents. As part of this campaign, we are strongly advocating lifestyle changes, followed by risk reduction and we are happy to be working closely with AXA, Carrefour and the Ministry of Health in fighting this disease.”

The Diabetes Awareness Campaign is part of AXA's Corporate Responsibility, and is integral to the company's commitment to build better understanding about the health risks faced by individuals and the society at large due to diabetes. Globally, over 366 million people suffered from diabetes in 2011, and by 2030, over 552 million would be diagnosed by the illness. A vast majority of people with diabetes are between 40 to 59 years of age, with over 183 million [50%] unaware that they suffer from the condition.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has seen an explosion of diabetes in recent times and it is estimated that over 26.6 million people are living with diabetes in the region and this figure is expected to double in the next 20 years.