College of Pharmacy PharmD students across all semesters worked with Thumbay University Hospital nursing staff to deliver free health assessment and counselling on the 14th of November which marks the World Diabetes Day 2021. The health assessment included blood pressure check, blood sugar check, and a diabetic care counselling. The event ran throughout the day and students volunteered in shifts taking part in the health assessments, counselling stations as well as poster presentation on the global statistics of diabetes outcomes, discovery of insulin marking 100 years as well as the importance of access to care for low- and middle-income communities.
Fathima Sheikh, a 4th year PharmD student commented “It was very enlightening to use the knowledge I have learnt so far to make patients understand about diabetes and its long-term complications better as well as its high prevalence. I had the opportunity to counsel pregnant women on gestational diabetes and use of Insulin”.
Nahlah, a 1st year PharmD student commented “I had the opportunity to learn how to perform blood sugar testing by the nursing staff and discuss with the senior students and patients on this topic. This event was of special importance to me since I have siblings and family members who deal with diabetes every day, thus being able to serve my community through learning how my pharmacy profession approaches this disease is rewarding to me. I am excited to participate in more of these outreach events”.
More details about the activity can be accessed through the community engagement portal. [Link]