Aster Hospitals and Clinics has launched the Aster Diabetes 360 Care Clinic in Al Qusais to strengthen proactive diabetes management. According to Khaleej Times, the facility focuses on early detection, continuous monitoring, and personalised treatment. This clinical expansion aligns with the UAE’s recent implementation of a tiered sugar tax on high-sugar beverages, a policy designed to combat rising obesity and lifestyle-related conditions.
The clinic addresses a significant public health challenge. Khaleej Times reports that the International Diabetes Federation estimates 20.7 per cent of the UAE’s adult population, or more than 1.27 million people, live with diabetes. Millions more are at risk of prediabetes. Drivers include shifting dietary patterns, sedentary lifestyles, and urbanisation. Risk factors cited include elevated body mass index, hypertension, advancing age, and genetic predisposition.
The new facility integrates management of metabolic health, hypertension, obesity, high cholesterol, and kidney disease. It operates under guidelines from the American Diabetes Association, the World Health Organization, and the Dubai Health Authority. Services include continuous glucose monitoring, structured self-management training, and specialised screenings for diabetic neuropathy, foot complications, and retinopathy. This model matches fiscal interventions with clinical precision.
Medical experts stress the importance of protecting vital organs from uncontrolled blood sugar. Dr John Cherian Varghese, a nephrology specialist at Aster Hospital Mankhool, told Khaleej Times that damage to tiny blood vessels affects kidney function. He emphasised that regular kidney function tests and timely intervention are essential. Dr Ramesh Bhaskaran, an internal medicine specialist at Aster Hospital Al Qusais, added that regular assessments can identify complications early, preventing serious organ damage.
Dr Deepika Patel, an endocrinology specialist at Aster Hospital Mankhool, explained that continuous glucose monitoring helps doctors understand how food, activity, and stress affect blood sugar. This enables better-informed treatment decisions. Dr Sushil Amrutrao Sonawane, an endocrinology specialist at Aster Clinic Dubai Silicon Oasis, noted that early detection through HbA1c tests can identify prediabetes before symptoms like persistent fatigue or increased thirst appear.
The clinic also targets childhood health, linking unhealthy habits to insulin resistance. Dr Kingini Bhadran, an endocrinology specialist at Aster Clinic Al Qusais, stated, "We emphasise that healthy growth is about more than just weight." She advised that regular monitoring, balanced nutrition, and daily physical activity are essential. Dr Chakra Diwaker, an endocrinology specialist at Aster Clinic Discovery Gardens, encouraged balanced eating habits including fibre-rich foods and whole grains, rather than strict diets.