Diabetes has been becoming a common health disorder among UAE nationals as the country finds place in the list of 10 countries where the disease has been spreading at very fast pace.

Residents of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are very prone to the disease. A population of 51.7 million may suffer from diabetes by 2023 according to experts speaking at the two days long 1st International Abu Dhabi Diabetes Congress.

Dr Abdul Razzaq Ali Al Madani, Consultant Physician, Endocrinologist and Head of the Emirates Diabetes Society told, "The UAE ranks second on the International Diabetes Federation's list of top ten countries where diabetes is widespread, with 18.7 per cent of the population suffering from the disease."

Al Madani said that UAE government spends around $1,067 per year for the eradication of disease. He advised people to refrain from junk food and do some physical exercise as a preventive measure to avoid diabetes.

Meanwhile, the Action Plan for the Control of Diabetes in the GCC 2009-2018 has been proposed in which people would be told to change their routine habits and to adopt an active life style.