In Dubai, two Indian expatriates have each won Dh5,000 after successfully participating in a diabetes awareness and health challenge, celebrating their efforts to promote better management and understanding of the condition.
“Two Indian Expats in Dubai Each Take Home Dh5,000 in Diabetes Contest”
Dubai resident Karthik Anbazhagan, an Indian expatriate, was named the top male winner of the RAK Diabetes Challenge 2025, which wrapped up on Thursday, November 13, at RAK Hospital.
Over the three-month competition, Karthik achieved a significant improvement in his health, lowering his HbA1c levels from 9.6 to 6.94. In recognition of his impressive results, he received a cash reward of Dh5,000.
Sharing his experience, Karthik emphasized that staying consistent played a crucial role in his achievement. “In the past, my diabetes management was inconsistent, but this challenge gave me a clear purpose. Once I set my goal, I remained committed,” he said.
He described his transformed routine as disciplined, focusing on a wholesome diet, regular workouts, and limited medication. “For me, awareness was the true game-changer,” he noted. “While medicine, nutrition, and exercise are all vital, understanding how they complement one another makes all the difference.”
Karthik expressed gratitude to his family for their unwavering encouragement throughout the competition. “My wife played a big role in managing my diet, while my son inspired me to keep up with my workouts, even on days I felt tired,” he shared.
He added that winning was never his main objective, but he feels proud of the improvements he achieved. “My focus was on building consistency and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, not only during the challenge but as a long-term commitment,” Karthik explained.
A key element of Karthik’s approach was incorporating a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) into his routine for the first time. “It allowed me to see how my body reacted to various foods and physical activities,” he said. “I’d strongly encourage others to try CGM — it provides real-time feedback on your glucose patterns and helps you make better decisions.”
Looking ahead, Karthik aims to sustain his improved lifestyle. “This challenge made me realize that diabetes can be effectively controlled through a blend of awareness, healthy habits, and determination,” he noted. “My next personal milestone is to lower my HbA1c to below 6.”
Syeda Huma Begum, an Indian expatriate based in Ajman, emerged as the top female winner of the RAK Diabetes Challenge 2025. She achieved an outstanding improvement in her HbA1c levels — reducing them from 7.8 to 6.47 — and received a cash prize of Dh5,000.
Her story stands as a testament to perseverance and determination. When she first enrolled in July, her HbA1c was a concerning 10.9. Before officially joining the program, she had already brought it down to 8, and by the end of the challenge, her levels had dropped further to an impressive 6.37 — a clear reflection of her commitment to better health.
A passionate educator, Begum described the journey as life-changing. She attributed her success to steady discipline, balanced habits, and optimism. “I began with 30-minute walks each day, gradually extended them to an hour, took my insulin regularly, maintained a nutritious diet, and made sure I got 6 to 8 hours of sleep. Above all, I stayed positive,” she shared.
She expressed gratitude to her husband for his constant encouragement, mentioning that he also took part in the challenge and managed to bring his pre-diabetic condition under control.
Recalling the tougher days when she felt tired or unmotivated, Begum said her students became her biggest source of encouragement. “They knew about my journey and kept cheering me on every single day,” she shared.
Winning the competition has strengthened her commitment to leading a healthy life and motivating others — particularly women juggling multiple responsibilities. “I hope to be a role model for other women,” she said. “It’s not easy, but together we can achieve it.”
Sana Abbasi, a Pakistani expatriate living in Dubai, earned second place in the RAK Diabetes Challenge 2025 and received a prize of Dh3,000. Over the course of the program, her blood sugar levels showed remarkable improvement — dropping from 7.61 at the beginning to 6.96 by the conclusion of the challenge.
Abbasi’s health journey has been one of resilience and determination. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2016 following the birth of her second child, she initially depended on medication that came with difficult side effects. Refusing to let the condition define her, she embraced a structured lifestyle focused on nutritious home-cooked food, regular physical activity, adequate rest, staying hydrated, and managing stress effectively. Her persistence and discipline eventually enabled her to taper off her medication safely under her doctor’s guidance.
“After completing the challenge, my blood sugar level is now 6.9, and I feel full of energy and enthusiasm,” Abbasi said. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to her family — especially her husband — for their constant encouragement and for keeping her motivated through tough times.
The 12-week initiative, launched on August 21 and concluding on November 13, just before World Diabetes Day, attracted over 5,500 participants from all over the UAE, including Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates.
