NewsDetail
Diabetes has reached epidemic proportion worldwide, with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reporting that Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait are among the countries with the highest prevalence of diabetes. Committed to being part of the solution, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has transformed its diabetes services from an acute care system to a structure built around prevention and patient education.
“Created with the vision of uniting clinical care, diabetes education, treatment and research, our National Diabetes Centers were established to both improve the quality of life for those living with diabetes and to treat the disease by focusing on early detection and prevention,” said HMC's Chairman of Internal Medicine, Professor Abdul-Badi Abou Samra.
The National Diabetes Center at Hamad General Hospital was opened in 2013 and receives about 2,000 adult and 700 pediatric patients each month. The National Diabetes Center at Al Wakra Hospital opened a year later, in 2014, and receives approximately 400 patient visits each month. Offering a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care, the Centers provide patients with improved access to specialized treatment.
“These facilities serve as one-stop shops in which patients can speak with specialist doctors, renew prescriptions and learn self-care skills related to blood glucose monitoring, healthy eating and physical activity,” said Professor Abou Samra.
In addition to providing patients with specialized treatment, Hamad is focused on informing the public about the causes, symptoms and complications of Type 2 diabetes and other lifestyle related diseases. According to Professor Abou Samra, HMC looks beyond the care that is provided in the hospital setting and works to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle as a strategy for disease prevention.
“Diabetes is a complex disease which can lead to debilitating long-term complications and acute illness. Structured education is a critical element of the diabetes care plan at HMC. Education empowers patients to make the behavioral changes needed to control their blood glucose levels, reduce the risk of complications and live well with diabetes. It also helps people at high risk for Type 2 diabetes make the lifestyle and behavioral changes needed to reduce their chance of developing the condition,” added Professor Abou Samra.
Research studies have found that moderate weight loss and exercise can prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes among those at high risk of developing the disease.
“Although our genes may influence the development of Type 2 diabetes, behavioral and lifestyle factors play a large role. Our lifestyle choices, specifically our nutrition and exercise habits, determine more than 50% of our health status; the remaining is decided by our environment and our genes. Data from several international clinical trials supports that Type 2 diabetes is preventable, with weight loss, dietary changes and increased exercise being found to dramatically lower one’s chances of developing the disease,” said Professor Abou Samra.
Next week delegates from across the GCC countries will gather in Doha for the Diabetes Leadership Forum. The two-day event will be attended by policymakers, key opinion leaders, academia, healthcare decision makers and representatives of patient organizations. The implementation of Qatar’s National Diabetes Strategy is expected to be a key focus of the meeting.
