| Dasman Diabetics Institute introduces courses for care, education |
| | Sat, 19 May 2012 |
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KUWAIT: The Dasman Diabetes Institute organized a series of courses entitled "Discovery Course: Diabetics Care and Education" aimed at promoting awareness about Diabetes, its causes, means of prevention, and living with the disease. The Institute hosted guest speakers Sir Michael Hirst, President Elect of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF); Professor Stephen Greene, President Elect of the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD); as well as Doctor Abdulla Bennakhi of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health. Speakers spoke on the myriad of issues faced by people living with diabetes which including the lack of awareness, access to proper care, and discrimination.
According to medical literature, Diabetes is a lifelong disease in which there are high levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin, resistance to insulin, or both. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar. There is presently no cure for diabetes. Treatment involves medicines, diet, and exercise to control blood sugar and prevent symptoms and problems.
Sir Michael Hirst gave the first presentation and introduced the audience to the IDF, explaining that it is an association of 200 member organizations working to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide. According to Hirst, the IDF was formed in 1950 by the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, and today has its global office in Belgium. Hirst spoke on the issues faced by people living with Diabetes around the world saying, "In Kuwait, everyone who needs medicines can get them. But that is not true of the entire world." He explained the need to always do more to help people without access to essential medicines and proper care. Hirst also touched on a social stigma being associated with Diabetes, what he said was the unfair belief, that it is the individual's fault if they become diabetic, Hirst explained that there are many reasons why people become Diabetic, and it is no one's fault.
Professor Stephan Greene took to the podium next and introduced the ISPAD and its mission. According to the ISPAD website, globally, diabetes is a disease in evolution affecting more and more children and adolescents. ISPAD is a professional organization whose aims are to promote clinical and basic science, research, education and advocacy in childhood and adolescent diabetes. The strength of ISPAD lies in the scientific and clinical expertise in childhood and adolescent diabetes of its members. ISPAD is the only international society focusing specifically on all types of childhood diabetes.
Finally, Doctor Abdulla Bennakhi stepped up to explain how diabetes information was being taught in schools and other public awareness campaigns, yet stressing the need to do more. In an interview with Al Watan Daily, Bennakhi explained that Kuwait doesn't have as much a problem with misinformation leading to a stigma against diabetics, but pointed out that he often hears parents asking what they did wrong when their children are diagnosed with Diabetes type 1.
He points out that it is the role of Diabetes societies, and the Education and Awareness divisions of the Ministry of Health to spread correct information among the general public. "Any specific act has nothing to do with diabetes, it is a genetic related problem with other risk factors which can promote it. If I keep unhealthy eating habits, obesity, and family history increase risk factors. You can change some of your risk factors, but not all of them. You can change your weight, your smoking and eating habits, but not your genetic risk factors, family history, or your age."Bennaki explains that awareness campaigns in Kuwait are done in schools, communities, malls, and super markets and usually draw a lot of attention and attendance from the general public.
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