HMC participates in 2012 IDF/MENA Region International Diabetes Conference and Exhibition

Several specialist doctors from HMC presented their scientific research and chaired some sessions at the conference.

Dr Mahmoud Zirie, Consultant and Head of Diabetes and Endocrinology Section at HMC, chaired a scientific session on the importance of hemoglobin and its scientific use.

He also presented a paper on the metabolic disorders in diabetes in Arabs versus others.

"Scientific research has indicated that differences in race can have a direct impact on a person's predisposition to develop diabetes. At HMC we are currently conducting, in collaboration with Texas University/ USA, a three-year scientific comparative research study on a group of Arab and American nationals to track the liability of diabetes infection and its causes in each group," said Dr. Zirie.

Dr. Abdelrazaq Gehani, Consultant Cardiologist, presented a research paper titled 'Diabetes and heart disease' and Dr. Mohsen Al Idrisi, Consultant for diabetes and endocrinology presented a research paper titled 'Facts about diabetes', while Dr. Amin Jayousi, Consultant for diabetes and endocrinology, chaired some sessions of the conference.

The Corporation also participated in the exhibition that went on in parallel to the scientific sessions. HMC's stand displayed educational booklets and pamphlets on diabetes, preventive measures and how to deal with a diabetic patient, particularly the diabetic child.

During the conference, further information was revealed concerning HMC's commitment to establishing a National Diabetes Center. The new center, which will be located within Hamad General Hospital's OPD building, is expected to be completed by mid 2013.

The center includes specialized diabetes treatment clinics, a special pharmacy for diabetic patients and diabetes educational units, in addition to dietetics and podiatry (foot care) services. Besides providing various diabetic accessory items such as insulin injections and glucose test strips, the center will play an important role in supporting targeted clinical research on diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes, often referred to by doctors as diabetes mellitus, describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both.

Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience polyuria (frequent urination), they will become increasingly thirsty (polydipsia) and hungry (polyphagia). Diabetes is a common chronic disease all over the world which can affect anyone in society, male or female, young or old.

The prevalence of diabetes is relatively high in Qatar and other GCC countries, and studies have indicated that all six GCC nations rank among the top 12 countries of the world which have the highest incidence of the disease.