Doha, The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) hosted the 2nd Symposium on Diabetes Care under the title "Empowering Global Health through Life-Changing Research, in support of World Diabetes Day 2023, with the participation and support of several esteemed health institutions and in cooperation with the leading global healthcare company, Novo Nordisk.
The symposium sessions aimed to deepen healthcare professionals' understanding and expertise in diabetes care, prevention and education, while also promoting the exchange of knowledge and innovation across the global medical community. The symposium goals are aligned with Qatar's National Vision 2030, and continues the work set out by Qatar's National Diabetes Strategy. This includes increasing public awareness of diabetes and developing the world's best workforce, infrastructure and research in this field.
President of UDST Dr. Salem Al Nuaimi said: "Excellence in diabetes care and management is a huge priority for our country. The National Diabetes Strategy in particular aims to improve health and quality of life in Qatar, by preventing diabetes and its associated complications. This is no easy feat. Collaboration, education and research are key to promoting diabetes awareness, and to advance methods used to manage and treat the disease. UDST's Master of Science in Diabetes Care and Patient Education was established to enhance the standard of diabetes education and care in the country. We have successfully graduated two cohorts of professionals, who are now adeptly addressing the essential requirements of the healthcare industry. Furthermore, by hosting the Diabetes Care Symposium, we can also provide a platform for sharing insights and developments from a local and global perspective." Co-Chair of the National Diabetes Committee at the Ministry of Public Health and Director of Qatar Metabolic Institute (QMI) at Hamad Medical Corporation Prof. Abdul Badi Abou Samra said: "The 2023 World Diabetes Day campaign focusses on the importance of delaying or preventing type 2 diabetes and associated complications with the slogan "Know your risk, Know your Response" underscoring the significance of proactive screening. As a slowly progressive disease that typically originates without symptoms, T2D can exist for many years without being recognized. Globally, 50 percent of diabetes is considered undiagnosed. In Qatar, 25 percent of diabetes is undiagnosed accounting for approximately 5 percent of all adult population. To address that, centered to the National Diabetes Strategy's implementation has been the establishment of a screening program, delivered through primary care, to early identify those with early diabetes and those at high risk for development of diabetes. This creates an opportunity to enroll people at risk into clinical trials of different approaches to diabetes prevention through the Qatar Diabetes Prevention Program (QDPP) and to do early intervention in subjects with newly diagnosed diabetes aiming at diabetes remission." The highly respected healthcare professionals delivered presentations on key topics throughout the symposium. These included insights on the Qatar National Diabetes Strategy; innovation in diabetes research and the national agenda for diabetes research in Qatar. The event also fostered conversations on novel therapies for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and the accessibility of diabetes care.
Source: Qatar News Agency