DUBAI: The Dubai Health Authority’s Dubai Diabetes Centre, a multidisciplinary diabetes management facility, was recognised by The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) as a Centre of Excellence in Diabetes Care and as a Centre of Education.

 IDF comprises of over 230 national diabetes associations in 165 countries, and has been leading the global diabetes community since 1950.  The Dubai Diabetes Centre is the first and only such centre recognised within the United Arab Emirates.

 Dr Ahmad Bin Kalban, CEO of Hospital Services Sector at the DHA, said: “We are delighted that the Dubai Diabetes Centre is recognized in both categories, which is a remarkable achievement.  Centre of Excellence in Diabetes Care includes centres that provide the whole range of comprehensive diabetes care and Centre of Education include those with a strong emphasis on patient education, a cornerstone of good diabetes care.”

 Dr M. Hamed Farooqi, Director of the Dubai Diabetes Centre, said: “Since the start of this centre in 2009, we have come a long way in ensuring that we provide specialised multidisciplinary services to people with diabetes under one-roof. 

Diabetes can cause serious complications if the sugar level is not well-controlled, this required specialised multidisciplinary care.

At the centre, we provide international levels of care and have specialists such as nurse educators, dieticians, podiatrists, exercise therapists and retinal camera technicians. 

The centre has also started a paediatric endocrine clinic that comprises of a paediatric endocrinology, nurse educator and dietician specially trained to handle paediatric cases.

Multi-disciplinary care given to patients under one roof ensures they are able to keep their diabetes under control, thus better managing their condition and keeping complications at bay.”

 In April, the centre also added behavioural therapy services to its list of multidisciplinary services.