Rising Diabetes Cases in Taiz, Yemen
In recent months, Taiz’s Republican Hospital has seen a significant increase in diabetes patients. This surge largely stems from individuals opting to stop their prescribed medications, leading to serious health issues.
Dr. Hamza al-Qusais, the head of the hospital’s emergency department, noted, “We stabilize them in the emergency room and quickly refer them to specialists for further care.”
The core issue appears to be linked to a controversial dietary philosophy gaining traction in Yemen and other Arab regions: el-tayebat, which means ‘those that are good’ in Arabic. Patients following this regimen have been advised against traditional medication by its promoter, Diaa el-Awadi, a former physician who faced professional sanctions in Egypt due to his unconventional health views.
El-Awadi gained infamy when he passed away from a heart attack in the UAE, just two months after being banned from Egyptian media. Despite—or perhaps because of—his death, conspiracy theories have swirled around him, further boosting his popularity and, unfortunately, the number of new diabetes patients seeking care.
One such patient, 67-year-old Murad al-Adimi, has struggled with diabetes for over 15 years. He had been managing his condition with medication until a friend’s suggestion led him to el-Awadi’s teachings. El-Awadi claimed that diabetes patients could forgo insulin and pills simply by adhering to a restrictive diet. Murad was attracted to the idea, particularly due to the financial burden of medication.
Initially, he felt good after skipping his medications. But soon, he fainted and was rushed to the hospital, where he’s now recovering. Reflecting on his choices, he remarked, “I saved money on prescriptions, but I was about to lose my life. It was a mistake not to follow my doctor’s instructions.” He now urges others with diabetes to stick to their medical treatments.
In a country where poverty was already widespread before the ongoing civil war, forgoing medication can seem like an appealing option. Dr. Sadeq Aqlan from the Republican Hospital pointed out that most who stop their treatments are either struggling financially or unaware of the importance of proper health advice. “It’s disheartening to see patients in critical condition because of these choices,” he added.
El-Awadi’s diet—while less harmful when it comes to food types—still excludes many beneficial items, negatively impacting health. The diet’s influence is evident, with prices of excluded foods, like eggs and chicken, plummeting in Taiz.
Rafat Abdu Yassin, 39, switched to el-tayebat in hopes of alleviating long-standing heartburn. He claimed to feel better shortly after, although nutritionists remain skeptical about the diet’s long-term effects.
Nutritionist Maram Fuad cautioned that while fasting and other aspects of the diet may have some benefits, eliminating entire food groups could lead to serious nutritional deficiencies. “Each patient needs a balanced diet supervised by a specialist,” she emphasized.
As individuals, like Rafat, experience temporary relief, they may not realize the potential consequences of avoiding a balanced diet. “A doctor mentioned that just cutting out flour might solve my heartburn without depriving me of other nutrients,” he said, echoing concerns about the viability of his current dietary choices.
