An artificial pancreas to regulate insulin release in Type 1 diabetics could become more widely used to cut the risk of blindness or amputation after successful trials.
The closed-loop system uses a wearable glucose monitor that relays readings to a computerised insulin pump to calculate how much the body requires — replicating a fully functioning pancreas.
Regulators in the UK have approved the technology for use.
Doctors say the devices have been used at only a handful of hospitals in the UAE but are likely to become more widely adopted as they become cheaper.
At about Dh30,000 ($8,167) per unit and Dh2,000 monthly running costs, the technology is not cheap.
But it is taking those born with Type 1 diabetes a step closer to replacing their misfiring pancreases with a working man-made alternative.
“Studies and our routine practice proved that this device helps to achieve glycemic targets and better diabetes control,” said Dr Ines Barros, endocrinologist at International Modern Hospital, Dubai.
“Consequently, it avoids the development of complications, such as hypoglycaemia, diabetic retinopathy, renal disease, cardiovascular diseases or neuropathy.
“It should be offered first to patients with uncontrolled diabetes despite previous intensive treatment — pregnant woman, children and adolescents.”
The International Diabetes Federation says 537 million people are living with diabetes worldwide, a number expected to increase to 700 million by 2045.
While an estimated 990,000 people were living with diabetes in the UAE in 2021, most cases were lifestyle-related Type 2 with far fewer diagnosed with Type 1 — about 24,000.
Due to the frequent need to monitor blood sugar levels via a finger-prick test or glucose sensor, managing Type 1 diabetes is arduous and time consuming.
As a result, an automated system is particularly useful for children or the recently diagnosed who may be struggling to manage their blood sugars through their diet.
Once digested, carbohydrates turn to glucose so Type 1 diabetics count carbs to match their insulin dose to ensure they stay healthy and avoid complications.
The latest closed-loop system reduces human error and increases the frequency of blood glucose monitoring and correction, leading to better glycemic control.
Dr Sarla Kumari, a diabetologist at Canadian Specialist Hospital, Dubai, said the technology had evolved over the past decade to become the most efficient form of insulin control.
“It is very easy to use and delivers information to a smartphone so it is easy to track,” she said.
“Most people with Type 1 diabetes are young children so it can be hard for them to monitor, with serious consequences. The devices are reliable and will come down in price to make them more widely available.
“If you have low blood sugar, people can die so keeping an accurate track of this is hugely important so people can get on with enjoying their lives.”
Complications
Complications from poor insulin management can result in acanthosis nigricans, a blackening of the skin around the armpits, neck or groin caused by the body producing too much insulin.
Nerve damage can also occur via diabetic neuropathy from high blood sugar, usually occurring in the hands and feet.
The closed-loop insulin delivery technology can guard against such complications.
“This technology came to the UAE two years ago but has only been available at three or four centres as it is not the standard of care,” said Dr Ajith Kumar, endocrinologist at Burjeel Hospital.
“As competition increases and more patients use this, it will come down in price.
“Like any Bluetooth device there can be a break in the connection, which can interrupt the delivery. That can cause a potential problem.
“For those who have lived with Type 1 diabetes for a while and mastered their insulin management, this can make a huge difference.”
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
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6.20pm: West Acre
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7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
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8.50pm: Calandogan
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It
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How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.
Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.
The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
The Details
Kabir Singh
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Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
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Engine: 3.7-litre V6
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
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Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30:
- UAE bt Nepal by 78 runs
- Hong Kong bt Singapore by 5 wickets
- Oman bt Malaysia by 2 wickets
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
