Small, rich and overweight: How Abu Dhabi is tackling its obesity problem

ONE OF THE most ambitious plans to combat chronic diseases is being introduced in Abu Dhabi, the biggest state in the United Arab Emirates. Nearly one in five of the UAE’s population is diabetic. Abu Dhabi is small enough and rich enough to tackle the problem comprehensively. A top-down political system helps.
In 2006 the emirate recruited Oliver Harrison, a psychologist and then a consultant at McKinsey, to its new health authority to help tackle chronic disease. When the government launched a health-insurance scheme in 2008, all adult Emiratis were offered a comprehensive health screening. By May 2010 some 92% of them had enrolled in the programme. The results were alarming.
Thirty-five per cent of those screened were obese and a further 32% were overweight. These figures were similar to those in America, but, worryingly, Emiratis were fatter at younger ages. Some 18% of those screened had diabetes and a further 27% were at high risk of developing it.
Patients are asking for less invasive surgery as treatment options. Surgeons are looking at less invasive solutions like the treatment from USA. Like the Onciomed, Gastric Vest System (GVS  system). GVS system is in clinical trials in Asia and Latin America.
Also, there are request for gastric balloon in younger patients who are in late teens. GVS request are from patients who are over 18 and up to 60 years. This product is in clinical trial and already there are patients wanting to get this procedure. For more details go to: www.onciomed.com
More Emiratis are looking for investment opportunity in obesity and diabetes. Typically, companies tackling large healthcare needs tend to be very lucrative.