The finding that Qatar’s annual cost for diabetes care could increase from QR1.8bn in 2015 to QR5bn in 2035 and QR8.4bn by 2055, if no immediate action is taken to combat the problem, is a matter of concern, going by a report presented at the International Diabetes Leadership Forum held recently in Doha.
The net present cost for treating diabetes over the next 40 years is estimated at QR130bn. The report also points out that if current behaviour and practices remain the same, there could be a significant spurt in the burden of the disease in the coming decades.
If nothing is done to fight the problem, the number of people suffering from diabetes in Qatar could go up from 200,000 in 2015 to 299,000 in 2035 and 368,000 by 2055. Similarly, the number of people suffering from complications due to diabetes is 48,000 presently and could rise to 124,000 in 2035 and 182,000 by 2055.
It was also pointed out at the Forum that diabetes is assuming tsunami proportions in the Eastern Mediterranean countries, particularly in the Gulf region. More than 422mn people are diabetic in the world and unfortunately, the Gulf region has seen the highest increase in this regard, according to International Diabetes Federation president Dr Shaukat Sadikot. “Half of these people are not even aware that they are diabetic,” he stated while warning that diabetes is a tsunami today and the waves are getting higher and higher.
Addressing the opening session HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari observed that diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases in the world and Qatar has not been spared from this trend. She pointed out that one in six (17%) of the Qatari adult population suffers from diabetes and about QR1.8bn is spent for treating diabetes and its complications in the country.
As reminded by the minister, an estimated 50% of all dialysis provided in Qatar is due to diabetes, half of acute coronary disease is associated with diabetes and close to 70% of all stroke patients have diabetes or pre-diabetes. The projections show that without any change, the number of people suffering with diabetes is likely to double in the next four decades.
As urged by the minister, collective efforts are needed to fight diabetes. The greatest challenge – and the biggest opportunity – is to work together to transform the way we address preventing the disease in the first place.
According to the minister, Qatar’s National Diabetes Strategy 2016-2022 offers a real opportunity to focus the attention on one of the most important health challenges for Qatar. It was also announced that the Ministry of Public Health was preparing to implement in Qatar, National Guidelines for Diabetic Patient Care, which will specify different stages and methods of treatment to manage the disease and avoid complications in an effective way.
Lifestyle changes can have a massive impact on diabetes – regular exercise, a balanced diet and stopping smoking are just a few of the steps people can take to significantly reduce their chances of getting the disease.