AI Transforms Diabetes Care in the UAE

Artificial Intelligence Revolutionizes Diabetes Treatment in the UAE: Revolutionary Changes in Care

The healthcare system in the United Arab Emirates has undergone significant transformation in recent years, particularly due to technological innovations. One of the most striking examples of this is the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the treatment of chronic diseases—especially diabetes. In the country, thousands of people spend significant amounts annually on diabetes management; however, the latest AI-driven models can potentially reduce treatment costs by up to six times while improving patients' quality of life and reducing the risk of complications.

AI in the Service of Chronic Diseases

In the UAE, the annual treatment cost for a diabetic ranges from 7,000 to 48,000 dirhams, depending on the type of treatment and the extent of insurance coverage. A significant portion of these costs are incurred on the side of insurers rather than directly from the patient's pocket. AI-supported healthcare models, however, enable a new approach: disease prevention, complication prediction, and more accurate diagnoses, all more quickly and cost-effectively.

The application of AI not only reduces treatment costs but also significantly improves patients' health indicators, such as the HbA1c value, a crucial indicator of long-term blood sugar control. The essence of the new methods is a prevention-based, proactive healthcare model that ensures stable patient conditions through continuous monitoring and intelligent decision support.

The Gap Between Incentives and Reality

While the technology is available, the structure of the healthcare delivery system does not necessarily support AI-based preventive approaches. The current system often still relies on reimbursements for interventions and hospital treatments, rather than the success of prevention. This means that hospitals and clinics receive more compensations when a patient is in a more severe condition, although AI-driven systems aim to prevent deterioration.

This structural contradiction emphasizes the need for comprehensive reform of the healthcare system: reimbursement models need to be in alignment with technological advancements. If a system truly wants to encourage prevention, providers must receive funding even if they successfully avoid more severe treatments.

The Role of Doctors and the Issue of Trust

Although artificial intelligence can identify patterns and provide predictions with exceptional accuracy, its goal is not, and cannot be, the complete replacement of medical decision-making. Doctors and healthcare personnel remain key players in care—the AI is merely a tool in their hands. AI systems support faster and more accurate diagnoses; however, the ultimate decision and responsibility still lie with the physician.

Patient education and consent in the use of AI systems are crucial. Technological breakthroughs can only exert real, lasting impact if patients understand and accept new procedures. Patients need to know how their data is used and be assured that AI assists rather than replaces human care.

The Limits of Data and Motivation

The real value of artificial intelligence becomes apparent when it is implemented in line with clinical goals. Projects based purely on top management decisions without feedback often fail. The success lies in actively involving medical teams in the development phase and ensuring AI solutions genuinely support their daily work.

Particularly promising are solutions that rely on the combined use of genetic data, continuous blood glucose monitoring, and electronic health records. AI can use this data to make predictions that help prevent complications, thus taking less time from the doctor while the patient feels more secure.

The Three Pillars of the Future

The future of the healthcare system is defined by three key factors:

1. Ethical data management: Patient trust can only be maintained if their data is secure and they are fully informed about its use.

2. Alignment of incentives: The reimbursement models of healthcare systems need to support prevention rather than interventions.

3. Maintaining trust: Keeping the doctor-patient relationship at the center, interpreting AI as a tool, and assuring transparent communication ensure long-term acceptance.

Dubai and AI-Based Healthcare's Role in the Region

Dubai has evolved into one of the most innovative healthcare hubs in the region, where the integration of artificial intelligence is no longer a future possibility but a present reality. Remote patient monitoring, predictive algorithms, and integrated data platforms are already part of the daily operations of several healthcare institutions.

AI is not a luxury but a practical solution—this was one of the key messages from this year's regional healthcare leaders' meeting. AI not only reduces costs but also alleviates the burden on doctors, prevents complications, and provides more personalized, faster care. The UAE's example clearly shows how innovation can become a systemic advantage, not just a technological one.

As healthcare gradually shifts from reactive care to an outcome-based, preventive model, artificial intelligence becomes a central player. The question is no longer whether we should use it but how to apply it responsibly, ethically, and sustainably—for the benefit of both patients and the entire system.

(Source of the article: Based on communications from the Future of Healthcare Summit 2025.)