18 community, corporate, and government engagements delivered across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra

• M42’s ICLDEC & HealthPlus Diabetes and Endocrinology Center engaged a record-number of people across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra
• 18 major community, corporate and government activations delivered early detection
• Free health screenings and expert sessions reached frontline organisations including Mubadala, Aldar, Daman, Modon, HCT, Central Bank of the UAE and Abu Dhabi Police
• 1,000+ healthcare professionals attended the 3rd Annual Diabetes and Endocrine Conference, strengthening regional clinical expertise
• 600+ people joined the Diabetes Awareness Run at Zayed Sports Stadium, driving momentum for active living
• 13 children living with diabetes had wishes granted through Make-A-Wish collaboration

Diabetes Awareness Month took on new meaning across the emirate this year, as nearly 4,000 people engaged with M42’s Imperial College London Diabetes & Endocrine Centre (ICLDEC) and HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center through one of the UAE’s most comprehensive, community-driven diabetes initiatives to date.

Across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, specialist teams from ICLDEC, Moorfields, and HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center activated a month-long campaign that brought early detection, specialist education, and meaningful community support directly into workplaces, schools, majlis gatherings, and public spaces. The initiative reached leading corporates such as Mubadala, Aldar, Daman, the Higher Colleges of Technology, Central Bank of the UAE and Abu Dhabi Police.

Through free screenings, expert-led awareness sessions, medical conferences, community events, and family-focused activities, the initiative created impactful moments of engagement, helping individuals understand their risk, supporting people living with diabetes, and empowering families to take control of their health.

The campaign not only raised awareness but also mobilised communities at scale, reinforcing the critical role of prevention, education, and early intervention in reducing the national diabetes burden.

The initiative extended beyond health checks. It sparked conversations, strengthened community bonds, and delivered joy through special activations such as a Make-A-Wish collaborations for paediatric patients, transforming a clinical topic into a movement centered on compassion, prevention, and community wellbeing.

By integrating clinical expertise with community-driven outreach, the programme showcased M42’s commitment to reshaping the future of personalised, proactive, and preventive health across the UAE.

Dr. Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Outpatient Care, M42, said: “Diabetes Awareness Month provides an important opportunity for us to engage directly with communities, raise awareness around early detection, and support healthier living. By delivering comprehensive screenings, educational activations, and public events, we are helping individuals better understand their health and empowering families across the emirate to take proactive steps in diabetes prevention and management.” 

Reinforcing their commitment to advancing clinical knowledge, the centres also supported major regional medical events throughout the month. The 3rd Annual Diabetes & Endocrine Conference welcomed more than 1,000 attendees over two days, facilitating scientific exchange and professional learning. ICLDEC physicians chaired and participated in the 7th UAE Obesity Conference, contributing to broader discussions on obesity and metabolic health in the region.

Community engagement remained a central pillar of the month’s initiatives. On 23 November, ICLDEC and HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Public Health Center (ADPHC), hosted the Diabetes Awareness Run at Zayed Sports Stadium in Abu Dhabi, attracting more than 600 participants to promote active living and raise awareness of diabetes prevention. Complementing these efforts, Family Fun Days were held in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain for staff and paediatric patients, featuring football, “bike your juice,” canvas painting, face painting, and other interactive activities designed to promote awareness in an engaging, family-friendly environment.

As part of Diabetes Awareness Day on 14 November, the centres partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant wishes for 13 pediatric patients living with diabetes. The initiative added a deeply personal dimension to the month’s activities, bringing joy and meaningful support to young patients and their families. 

Dr. Muhaned Attaulah, Senior Director of Clinical Operations, Outpatient Care, M42, said: “Our work throughout Diabetes Awareness Month reflects our broader mission to support individuals and families affected by diabetes. From clinical outreach to community events and collaborations with partners such as Make-A-Wish, every initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to improving lives and reducing the impact of diabetes across the UAE.” 

The collective impact of the month-long campaign positions M42’s ICLDEC and HealthPlus Diabetes & Endocrinology Center as leading drivers of national diabetes awareness, prevention, and long-term health transformation. 

Make-A-Wish Foundation celebrated World Diabetes Day by granting the wishes of 11 children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, during a special event held with the generous support of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and hosted by both the Imperial College London Diabetes & Endocrine Center and the HealthPlus Diabetes and Endocrinology Center, part of the M42 group.

The event was held at the centre’s premises in the presence of representatives from the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Ms. Muna Al Jaber, Board Member of Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Ms. Noha El Shourbagy, Chief Operating Officer of the Foundation, along with a group of physicians, specialists, and the children’s families.

The granted wishes varied between the latest electronic devices, interactive games, and travel experiences, in an atmosphere filled with joy that delighted the children and their families, embodying the Foundation’s mission of spreading hope and bringing smiles to young patients’ faces.

Muna Al Jaber extended her sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development for its continuous support and noble efforts in enabling the Foundation to grant children’s wishes and bring happiness to their hearts. She emphasized that this support reflects the spirit of giving and social responsibility that characterizes the nation’s institutions and contributes to creating a real and lasting humanitarian impact.

In her remarks on the occasion, Al Jaber expressed the Foundation’s pride in participating in this humanitarian event, saying:

"At Make-A-Wish Foundation, we believe that every child deserves a moment of happiness that lights their path with hope. We are delighted to celebrate World Diabetes Day alongside our partners at the Imperial College London Diabetes and Endocrine Center, the HealthPlus Diabetes and Endocrinology Center, and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development - united by a noble humanitarian goal to support our young patients and enable them to experience moments filled with joy and positivity.

She added that since its establishment, the Foundation has granted more than 1,600 wishes for children with diabetes from over 80 nationalities around the world, stressing that the Foundation’s humanitarian mission continues, thanks to the tremendous support of partners and sponsors who believe in the value of giving and its positive impact on society.

For his part, H.E. Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, affirmed that this event aligns with the Fund’s strategic approach to supporting community initiatives. He noted that the Fund’s participation reflects its commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with various supporting institutions to promote social solidarity and shared responsibility among community members. He added that the Fund places special importance on initiatives related to children’s health, as supporting them is a vital step toward achieving noble humanitarian goals and providing opportunities that offer hope for a brighter future.

Dr. Mai Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of Outpatient Clinics at M42—which includes both the Imperial College London Diabetes and Endocrine Centre and the HealthPlus Diabetes and Endocrinology Center—stated:

"At M42, our mission goes beyond providing world-class healthcare; it is about instilling hope and improving quality of life. We are extremely proud of our partnership with Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development in bringing joy to children living with diabetes. Our physicians witness daily the courage and resilience of these young patients. Seeing their smiles today reminds us that compassion and care lie at the heart of everything we do.

The event concluded with heartfelt moments of pride and gratitude, as Make-A-Wish Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to granting more wishes for children of various backgrounds and nationalities, in alignment with the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership to position the country as a beacon of goodness, humanity, and generosity.