Sheikh Khalifa Medical City marks the World Diabetes Day

SKMC is owned and operated by SEHA, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The World Diabetes Day, which falls on the 14th of November, marks the primary global awareness campaign of the International Diabetes Federation and United Nations. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organization of over 200 member associations in more than 160 countries, advocating for the more than 250 million people with diabetes, their families, and their healthcare providers. Its mission is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide. The International Diabetes Federation leads the World Diabetes Day and Unite for Diabetes campaigns.

The event, organized by a multidisciplinary team from the Diabetes Clinic, will take place at the Diabetes Clinic from 8 am until 4 pm. It aims to raising the awareness of the public, patients and children on diabetes and that it is a preventable disease.

During the day, SKMC Diabetes Nurses will be conducting free blood sugar tests at the clinic for diabetic patients and non diabetic individuals. In addition to that, educational materials about diabetes and gifts will be distributed. There will be a free screening of the non-diabetic patient from 8am to 4pm (fasting CBG ideally).

Moreover, different activities are arranged for children including games, henna drawing, face painting and arts & crafts. Healthy food and snacks- including celiac foods will also be displayed by dieticians to raise awareness on healthy food.

On the other hand, the annual "World Diabetes Day Symposium" is organized during the evening of the same day in the Diabetes Clinic theatre for the fourth consecutive year titled "Diabetes Care 2009: From Treatment to Prevention" to enhance the education of healthcare providers. It targets hospital and primary care physicians, diabetes educators, dietitians, clinical pharmacists, senior nurses involved in diabetes care. The symposium is accredited for two Continuous Medical Education (CME) hours and speakers will discuss the latest developments in diabetes management in adults and children.

Dr. Mahmoud M Benbarka, Consultant Endocrinologist and Head, SKMC Diabetes Clinic at SKMC said

"The SKMC Diabetes Clinic's multidisciplinary program treats patients with all forms of diabetes and its related complications. It is a Center of Excellence offering unique and innovative services. The clinic provides a balanced focus on patient care, education, research, and community service. We attribute our success in diabetes management to teamwork, dedication and commitment of the clinics members, patients' participation, and to the fact that our approach is proactive and patient centered. Staff members of the clinic include endocrinologists, primary care physicians, diabetes educators, dietitians, podiatrist, clinical pharmacist, clinical psychologist, diabetes nurses, translators and clerical staff. The clinic receives patients on a referral only basis from other Outpatient Clinics, as well as from the Family Medicine Clinics, and currently has more than 5000 patients registered"

"The Diabetes Clinic provides comprehensive services such as patient consultations with doctors and support staff, case management and education by diabetes nurse educators on a daily basis. Additionally, the clinic provides dietary consultation by dietitians, podiatric services, pharmacy counseling and advice, a 96 hour Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring program and Insulin Pump Therapy highlighting that SKMC has initiated more than 150 patients on Insulin Pump therapy since the opening of the clinic", Dr. Benbarka added.

Dr. Salem Beshyah, Consultant Endocrinologist said, "In addition to the clinic's contribution to the regular postgraduate activities, the clinic is continuously providing professional educational programs to cater for the accredited CME needs of the medical community in Abu Dhabi. The clinic has developed a good track record for high quality educational programs. The current research interests of the clinic include studying the characteristics and risk factors for diabetes in the UAE and management of diabetes during Ramadan fasting".