AXA Gulf,Carrefour & KIMS Medical Centre Jointly launch a prominent Diabetes Awareness Campaign

DUBAI MEDIA CITY, UAE - Nov. 14, 2013 - PRLog -- AXA Gulf, Carrefour & KIMS Medical Centre

Jointly launch a prominent ‘Diabetes Awareness Campaign’

·       Free glucose screening to over 12,000 people will take place in Dubai & Sharjah between Nov 22^nd & Dec 7^th

·       Diabetes campaign to be held under the theme ‘Better Care about People’

In a step to constantly better protect people and improve the health and wellbeing of the community, AXA Insurance Gulf, Carrefour and KIMS Medical Centre have jointly announced the launch of a Diabetes Awareness Campaign in the UAE, under the theme “Better Care about People”.

The campaign, which kicks off on November 14^th, 2013, coincides with the World Diabetes day and runs till December 7 across the UAE. It is aimed at raising awareness about diabetes and its seriousness among the UAE population.

The Diabetes Awareness Campaign, part of the three companies Corporate Responsibility strategy, is integral to their commitment to build a better understanding about health risks due to diabetes faced by individuals and the society at large. The campaign emphasizes on healthy living habits and behaviours that should help the community to reduce the risk.

Jérôme Droesch, CEO of AXA Insurance Gulf, said: “The statistics on the incidence of diabetes in the region is high and it is on the rise. Based on the international diabetes federation, nearly half of the patients with diabetes are unaware of their condition and hence we, at AXA, are committed to playing a positive role in our society and supporting the communities in which we operate. This campaign is targeted at influencing communities through public awareness, education and supporting the UAE Ministry of Health’s strategic objectives to promote public health standards.”

Thanking Carrefour and KIMS, Mr. Droesch, said: “This campaign is just another step toward a long journey of AXA’s unique vision and commitment to protection.  Our business is to protect people and what AXA can offer its community is a unique approach to protection by anticipating health risks. We are truly proud to be part of this noble purpose and we are delighted and thankful to our partners, Carrefour and KIMS Medical Centre, without whom the campaign wouldn’t have taken place.”

The campaign will encompass free blood glucose tests for public under the supervision of authorized doctors and nurses from KIMS Medical Centre across the UAE. Members of the public can visit any of these screening spots to check their blood glucose levels.

The screening spots will be held at Carrefour in Deira City Centre on [November 22 and 23], Mall of the Emirates [November 29, 30], Mirdif City Centre [November 29, 30], Sharjah City Centre [December 6, 7] and in AXA Shops in Dubai Mall on [November 22, 23], Dubai Internet City [November 26, 27], Wafi branch [December 3, 4], Sahara Mall in Sharjah [December 6, 7].

Kumaresh Babu, Chief Operating Officer of KIMS Medical Centre, said: “This diabetes campaign fits perfectly in our overall strategy of diagnosis and helping people monitor their overall health conditions. A simple spot blood glucose test can help detect the blood glucose level in the body. Appropriate treatment can be started to maintain better quality of life if detected in time to avoid initial complications. Lack of awareness about diabetes, can lead to complications such as blindness, amputation and kidney failure. Our effort is to fight this disease with AXA, Carrefour and the Ministry of Health and we are happy to join hands in such noble initiative.”

The Diabetes month focuses on engaging millions of people worldwide in diabetes advocacy and awareness. Though that month, all countries worldwide draw attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight through different campaigns. November 14^th is commemorated as the World Diabetes Day in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat that diabetes now poses.

Globally, over 366 million people suffered from diabetes in 2011, and by 2030, over 552 million would be diagnosed by the illness. A vast majority of people with diabetes are between 40 to 59 years of age, with over 183 million [50%] unaware that they suffer from the condition.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has seen an explosion of diabetes in recent times and it is estimated that over 26.6 million people are living with diabetes in the region and this figure is expected to double in the next 20 years.

Notes to the editor:

About AXA in the Gulf

With a workforce of over 800 employees, 22 branches region-wide, more than 500,000 customers and 2012 gross written premium of over US$ 625 million, AXA is the largest international non-life player in the GCC offering a wide range of insurance products and services for corporate and individual customers. AXA in the Gulf was recently awarded Insurer of the Year and Personal Lines insurer in 2012 at the MENA Insurance Awards and best SME insurance product by the Banker Middle East. For more information log on to http://www.axa-gulf.com/

About AXA Group

The AXA Group is a worldwide leader in insurance and asset management, with more than 160,000 employees serving 102 million clients in 57 countries. In 2012, IFRS revenues amounted to Euro 90.1 billion and IFRS underlying earnings to Euro 4.3 billion. AXA had Euro 1,116 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2012. AXA has been elected for the fifth year in a row the first insurance brand worldwide by the Global Interbrand ranking.

About KIMS

KIMS is a Medical Center in Dubai, the sixth GCC franchisee of Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences, India. KIMS Medical Centre Dubai provides quality outpatient, diagnostic and personal primary care to the population of Dubai. With effort in integrating with the local communities and empanelment by all insurance companies gives the population in all sectors direct access to our services and specialist treatment. Their vision is to Provide "Quality Health Care at Affordable Cost" guided by our values of care with courtesy, compassion and competence. For more details, log into http://kimsdubai.com/index.html

For additional information, please contact:

Alexis de Beauregard

AXA Gulf Marketing,

Tel: +971 44476350

Email: alexis.debeauregard@axa-gulf.com

www.axa-gulf.com

Menna Talla MOHY EL DIN
Regional Communication Manager, AXA Insurance (Gulf) B.S.C. (c)

Tel. : +971 (0) 4 447 6349 - Mob. : +971 (0) 56 682 7104
Email: menna.mohy@axa-gulf.com

www.axa-gulf.com