Imperial College London Diabetes Centre in Abu Dhabi poised to stem UAE’s rising prevalence in diabetes Mubadala Development Company and Imperial College London signed today a framework agreement on mutual cooperation in the fields of education, healthcare, research & development and industrial development.

The agreement was signed by Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, Deputy Director of the Industry, Technology and Telecommunications Unit within Mubadala and Board Member of the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre and Dr Tidu Maini, Pro-Rector Corporate Affairs and Development, Imperial College London.

Part of this initiative will be the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, a specialized Abu Dhabi-based facility for diabetes treatment and research, for which a technical services agreement has been signed. Al Muhairi referred to the agreement as a precursor for close and long-term collaboration between Mubadala and Imperial College London in all medical and healthcare spheres, with special focus on diabetes. “Cooperation with globally-renowned academic institutions such as Imperial College London will certainly add to the enormous efforts being made to conquer the alarming rise of diabetes prevalence in the UAE and the region. The Centre,” he continued, “embodies Abu Dhabi’s vision of a UAE with a much lower prevalence of diabetes and all associated complications.”

The Imperial College London Diabetes Centre in Abu Dhabi will be built adjacent to the Zayed Military Hospital. The Centre is expected to be open by early 2006. “Imperial College London is excited by the long-term collaboration with Mubadala. Through the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre, we hope to make a major contribution to the country’s battle against diabetes” said Professor Steve Bloom, Head of the Division of Investigative Science at Imperial College London, and Head of Endocrinology at the Hammersmith Hospital in London. Dr Maha Taysir Barakat, Medical Director of the Centre, noted that particular importance will be given to prevention of complications associated with diabetes such as heart disease – the major life-threatening complication, eye disease leading to blindness, kidney disease requiring dialysis, and vascular disease causing stroke or necessitating amputation of limbs. As such the physicians at the Centre will include Diabetologists, Cardiologists, Ophthalmologists and Nephrologists.

“Where complications have already developed, intensive treatment will be adopted to reverse or delay progression,” she said. “The treatment of diabetes has changed considerably over the last few years and the Centre will apply the latest evidence-based treatment protocols based on British and American Diabetes Association guidelines. To aid in this process, we shall have in-house extensive blood testing facilities, non-invasive cardiac investigations to detect the earliest signs of heart disease, and laser treatment for diabetic eye disease.” Dr Barakat, who is also the Director of the Imperial College London Research Institute within the Centre, further added: “what is a concern is that the numbers are expected to increase even more over the next few years. The research we shall undertake will help elucidate why diabetes is occurring in the UAE and the region in such high numbers, with the aim of stemming the rise and ultimately preventing the condition.”

Moreover, the Research Institute will take part in UAE public health programs and will play an active role in Continuing Medical Education programs in diabetes management for the Centre, the country and the region.”

Established in October 2002, Mubadala is a wholly owned investment vehicle of the Abu Dhabi government. It has the mandate to establish new companies, acquire stakes in existing companies in the UAE or abroad and focus on generating sustainable economic benefits for the emirate of Abu Dhabi through partnerships with local, regional and international investors. The company intends to invest in a wide range of sectors including energy, utilities, real estate, basic industries and services to diversify and further develop the economy of Abu Dhabi.

Consistently rated in the top three UK university institutions, Imperial College London is a world leading science-based university whose reputation for excellence in teaching and research attracts students (11,000) and staff (6,000) of the highest international quality. Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and management and delivers practical solutions that enhance the quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture. Imperial College London has strong expertise in Diabetes, and is affiliated with the following hospitals in London: Hammersmith, St. Mary’s, Chelsea & Westminster, Charing Cross, Royal Brompton, and Northwick Park.