UAE: Diabetes management programme enables over 60% of participants to manage risk of complications
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | May 2021
The National Health Insurance Company – Daman said that over 60% of participants in its diabetes management programme have maintained or reduced their risks to develop complications over a period of 12 months with 89% following the programme’s guidance to improve their quality of life.
The UAE’s leading health insurer revealed these findings following case reviews of over 4,100 enrolled members, which found that 63% of members enrolled in the programme have reduced or maintained their glycated haemoglobin (Hb1Ac) levels of which 46%, around 2,000 members, have managed to reduce their levels by over 1.6%. Such a reduction is known to decrease the risks associated with the disease’s complications and improve the patient’s quality of life.
The health insurer noted this as a clinically meaningful outcome considering that the normal rate of Hb1Ac is 5.6% and a diagnosis of diabetes is made when it exceeds 6.5%. Studies show that those with type 2 diabetes who reduce their haemoglobin level by 1% are 19% less likely to suffer cataracts, 16% less likely to suffer heart failure, and 43% less likely to suffer amputation or death due to peripheral vascular disease.
Daman has been providing the diabetes management programme over the past 10 years, with over 17,000 members benefitting through its programme. The initiative provides diabetic members of the insurer with nutritional and exercise advice, as well as offering personal and educational support on applying adjustments to daily routines to cope with the condition and improve a members’ long-term quality of life. M