Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Women’s Wellness and Research Center
(WWRC) is welcoming patients to its newly expanded diabetes clinic which
has relocated from Women’s Hospital.
“With the growing number of
women at risk of, or living with diabetes, we are thrilled to relocate
our clinic to one that is nearly double in size,” said Dr. Faten
Al-Taher, Senior Consultant at Women’s Wellness and Research Center. “By
introducing additional clinics, I am confident we can help more women
diagnosed with, or at risk of, type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes
to manage their condition.”
Dr. Al-Taher stated that currently
the specialized clinic receives 1,400 visits a month from women who have
been diagnosed with a thyroid condition and/or diabetes prior to or
during pregnancy.
Dr. Mohammed Bashir, an Endocrine Consultant at
HMC said: “Women with diabetes should strive to reach normal blood
glucose levels before they become pregnant and those who have been
diagnosed with diabetes should seek a referral to our diabetes clinic as
soon as possible.”
Dr. Bashir warns that women with poorly
controlled diabetes pre- or post-pregnancy are at a higher risk of
serious fetal complications, in particular, congenital deficits, loss of
pregnancy, high blood pressure, large birth weight babies, or
complications during delivery, including premature birth, fetal death,
larger babies, and cesarean section.
According to Dr. Al-Taher,
to help women achieve a successful pregnancy, the Women’s Wellness and
Research Center’s diabetes clinic employs a multidisciplinary team which
focuses on equipping each patient with the education and tools they
need to manage their diet, weight, blood pressure and medication. The
team also provides women with advice on how to increase physical
activity levels, and self-manage and monitor their blood glucose levels.
“Our
clinic is unique because our multidisciplinary team offers a customized
diabetes management program tailored specifically to the needs of each
patient,” said Dr. Al-Taher. “Women referred to us should expect our
clinicians to offer a continuity of care that will help them achieve the
healthiest childbirth experience possible in one convenient location.”
The
new specialized diabetes clinic is located on Level 1 of the Outpatient
Department of Women’s Wellness and Research Center. Future expansion
plans include the addition of podiatry and retina screening clinics and
facilities that will offer a comprehensive inventory of diabetes medical
supplies, ultimately providing all diabetic services in a single,
convenient location.
