Listen to the article
Dubai’s 16th edition of the Diabetes Challenge concluded with over 17,500 participants from across the community, cementing its position as one of the UAE’s largest family-focused health initiatives. The Diabetes Challenge event, organized by Landmark Group at Zabeel Park, aligns with the UAE’s Year of the Family objectives and continues to grow as a major wellness movement in the region.
The event was inaugurated by Renuka Jagtiani, Chairperson of Landmark Group, alongside Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, Hessa Tahlak, Assistant Undersecretary for Development at the Ministry of Family, and Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, Executive Director of Al Jalila Foundation, according to the official announcement. The initiative brought together various community partners and stakeholders committed to promoting preventive healthcare and family wellness.
Community Engagement Through the Diabetes Challenge
Saeed Mohammed Hareb emphasized the Dubai Sports Council’s pride in its continued partnership with Landmark Group for the family-oriented Diabetes Challenge over several years. He noted that the initiative has successfully established itself as one of Dubai’s most prominent community wellness initiatives by bringing people together around the shared goal of promoting public health.
Additionally, Hareb confirmed that such initiatives play a pivotal role in encouraging physical activity and establishing healthy lifestyles as the foundation for building a healthier, stronger, and more sustainable society. The timing during the Year of the Family makes these efforts particularly significant for reinforcing family health priorities across the Emirates.
Preventive Healthcare Services and Youth Programs
The event featured the return of the Super Kids program, an essential component developed in collaboration with GEMS Education to enhance youth engagement and health awareness. This program represents a strategic effort to instill healthy habits among younger generations while involving families in diabetes prevention activities.
Meanwhile, Nisha Jagtiani, Director at Landmark Group, highlighted quality initiatives introduced this year, including Al Jalila Foundation’s mobile wellness unit and a dedicated area for Emirates Health Services Foundation within the family zone. These additions brought preventive care services, early detection screening, and health education directly to families through practical and accessible methods.
Long-Term Partnership for Health Advancement
Dr. Amer Al Zarooni stated that the long-term partnership with Landmark Group reflects a shared commitment to advancing human health through sustainable health awareness and meaningful community participation. According to Al Zarooni, prevention and early detection represent two fundamental pillars for improving long-term health outcomes by transforming awareness into practical steps that create tangible impact for families in the UAE.
However, the initiative extends beyond a single annual event. The Diabetes Challenge launched in 2009 and has evolved into a leading community movement that has engaged more than 165,000 people across the Gulf region to date, carrying an impactful awareness message centered on screening, healthy eating, and staying active.
Regional Impact and Health Awareness
In contrast to traditional health campaigns, the Diabetes Challenge combines physical activity with comprehensive health screening and education. The family-focused approach ensures that wellness messages reach multiple generations simultaneously, creating household-wide behavioral changes that support diabetes prevention and overall health improvement.
The initiative addresses the growing prevalence of diabetes in the UAE and broader Gulf region, where lifestyle-related health conditions have become increasingly common. Through accessible community events, organizers aim to reduce diabetes risk factors while promoting early detection among at-risk populations.
Organizers have not announced specific dates for the next edition of the Diabetes Challenge, though the annual nature of the event suggests it will return in 2026. The continued partnership between Landmark Group, Dubai Sports Council, and healthcare organizations indicates ongoing commitment to expanding community health initiatives aligned with national wellness objectives.
