Aligning to its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy, RAK Ceramics, the world's ceramic tiles & bathware manufacturing company, hosted a seminar in association with RAK Hospital on controlling Diabesity (Diabetes and Obesity) within its premises for its employees.

RAK Ceramics to raise the level of awareness about the risks associated with diabesity, which is growing concern that has affected around 1 billion people globally. 

The company invited senior specialist doctors from RAK Hospital to hold a seminar on health issues relating to diabesity and a presentation was made on "Diabesity- A Reversible Epidemic" which drew the links between diabetes and obesity and the chronic diseases arising from diabesity. The presentation received an overwhelming response from around 150 RAK Ceramics employees who are either suffering from diabesity or have any of their family members suffering from similar illness. 

Diabesity is a blend of diabetes with obesity and refers to the looming public health crisis worldwide caused by excessive weight gain. It is mainly the result of poor diet, lifestyle and environmental toxins interacting with our unique genetic susceptibilities. It occurs in about 40% of people of normal weight and 80% of overweight people. 

Diabesity if not controlled can cause heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and possible amputation of limbs, this disease is a killer and we need to fight it head on. Diabesity causes severe health complications and is the fifth leading cause of death world-wide. According to the latest World Health Organization research, studies have shown that more than a quarter of UAE nationals suffer from diabetes. 

"RAK Ceramics has always been at the forefront when it comes to the welfare of its employees and their health concerns are the top-most priority. The alarming statistics of diabesity has made us to create maximum awareness about the risks of Diabesity amongst our employees. Such health-related CSR activities are rewarding because they not only educate our employees but also helps the employees' families. We believe that such periodic health-related awareness campaign allows our employees to undertake a better lifestyle and avoid health-related concerns," said Mr. Abdulla Mahmood, GM- Marketing and Corporate Communication, RAK Ceramics.

RAK Ceramics maintains its own modern medical centre within the premises of the company's headquarters in Ras Al Khaimah. Managed by RAK Hospital, a leading provider of international quality healthcare in Ras Al Khaimah, the medical centre provides free medical services to all employees staying in staff accommodation and those who live outside the company premises.

RAK Ceramics is a $1bn global conglomerate that supplies to over 160 countries and has been officially recognised as the world's largest ceramic tile manufacturer with a global production output of 117 million square meters. RAK Ceramics offers a comprehensive product portfolio comprising over 8,000 designs in ceramic tiles, Gres Porcellanato, and several models in bath ware. RAK Ceramics has earned distinctions such as the Best Brand of 2010 and CSR Company of 2011 at Middle East Business Leader's Summit and Awards and recently the CMO Asia's Best Brand 2011. The company was also honoured by the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) for complying with good governance and transparency according to best international practices. 

RAK Ceramics has also maintained its Superbrand status for the third consecutive year and continues to be a global pioneer in the world of ceramics through innovative eco-friendly products such as RAK SLIM, 45x45 Wood Collection, Stone Art Collection and Orion Collection using the latest Nanopix digital printing technology. RAK Ceramics is also the founding member of Emirates Green Building Council, which supports the development of sustainable buildings in the UAE.