College of Medicine organized Diabetes Awareness Campaign on November 14, 2022, to celebrate World Diabetes Day. The interprofessional educational event was held in collaboration with Thumbay University Hospital and Thumbay Labs, Ajman.
Dr. Mahir Khalil Jallo, Clinical Professor of Medicine & Senior Consultant at Thumbay University Hospital, addressed the gathering emphasizing the importance of prediabetes screening and follow-up. He said, “Across different ethnicities in UAE, the prevalence of prediabetes ranged from 8% to 17%. Of those with prediabetes, more than 80% are unaware that they have it. Prediabetes increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Therefore, anyone who is overweight or obese, above 30 years, has a family history of type 2 diabetes, has not indulged in sufficient physical activity, has diabetes during pregnancy, or has polycystic ovary syndrome or hypertension, must get screened for diabetes”.
Prof. Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor of Gulf Medical University, said, “It is appreciated that the event focused on the importance of interprofessional teams and our slogan remains ‘Learning Together for Working Together’.’’
Prof. Manda Venkatramana, Vice Chancellor Academics & Dean, College of Medicine, Gulf Medical University, addressing the gathering said, “it is the duty of those present to spread awareness about diabetes among your own family, relatives, and friends.”
A group of students presented E-posters on epidemiology, prevalence, symptoms, diagnosis, management, and complications of diabetes mellitus. They also discussed recent advances and publications on prediabetes and diabetes. The students of medicine, biomedical science, and preclinical sciences, along with practicing clinicians arranged the prediabetes screening camp. Students were involved in blood glucose estimation, body mass index (BMI) calculation, and interpreting and explaining the results to the respective attendees. Those with abnormal results with glucometer were asked to visit the booth set-up for collecting blood samples for HbA1c estimation, all free of cost, organized in association with Thumbay University Hospital and Thumbay Labs. Several hundred attendees got their blood glucose levels tested.
Isra Shakir, a final year student of the Bachelor of Biomedical Science program, reflected, “I was stationed to perform glucose estimation by using a glucometer. I can proudly say that it gave confidence in dealing with gathering and also helped improve communication and teamwork skills”.
The event was supervised by Prof. Nelofar Sami Khan, Head, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dr. May Khalil Ismail, Associate Professor, Biochemistry and Dr. Abid Shaheer Karanghadan, Lecturer in Biochemistry in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine.
