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The latest scientific advancements in diabetes care and updates in diagnosis and treatment strategies will be highlighted during a conference taking place in the kingdom next week, as part of a series of global initiatives to mark Diabetes Awareness Month.
The Bahrain Diabetes Conference and Global Diabetic Foot Course 2025 (GDFC) event will be held from November 12 to 15 at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel in Manama, coinciding with World Diabetes Day taking place on November 14.
All activities during November aim to increase public awareness, promote early detection and prevention and support individuals living with the condition.
Organised by the Bahrain Diabetes Society, in collaboration with Gulf Diabetic Foot Working Group, the event will bring together leading experts to discuss cutting-edge research and best practices in diabetes management.
Participants who attend all four days of the conference will successfully complete the GDFC, a programme aiming to educate healthcare providers on the latest insights, risk factors and management strategies for preventing and treating diabetic complications.
Lt Gen Dr Shaikh Mohammed
Supreme Council of Health chairman and conference president Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa said that the event underscores Bahrain’s commitment to improving diabetes care and preventing its complications.
“The leaps we are witnessing in Bahrain’s healthcare system, supported by the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, inspire us to continue our efforts to improve the knowledge of health care professionals to optimise the detection of early signs of diabetes complications,” he said.
Those complications include damage to blood vessels, nerves and organs, leading to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, eye damage, and nerve damage in the feet. Other issues involve skin and mouth conditions, hearing impairment and a higher risk of dementia.
Dr Al Hajeri
Bahrain Diabetes Society vice president Dr Mariam Al Hajeri highlighted that the society has been committed to hosting impactful scientific events that bring the latest knowledge and skills to Bahrain.
“We aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with the condition and supporting the healthcare professionals who care for them,” she said. “This year’s conference is especially exciting as we are partnering with the Gulf Diabetic Foot Working Group to host the Global Diabetic Foot Course in Bahrain for the first time, providing valuable insights into the prevention and effective management of diabetic foot complications.”
The latest scientific advancements in diabetes care will be highlighted and updates in diagnosis and treatment strategies showcased. “Attendees will have the opportunity to follow the conference with a hands-on course designed specifically for doctors and nurses,” she added.
Some of the sessions include Advances in Diabetes Prevention, Updates in Diabetes Management 2025, Cardio Renal Metabolic Syndrome, Emerging Technologies in Diabetes Management, Integrating Lifestyle Interventions, Diagnosing and Classifying Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Guide to Assessment and Differential Diagnosis, Radiology of Foot and Ankle, and more.
According to the Health Ministry, diabetes affects about 14.7 per cent of Bahrain’s adult population and unless root causes are tackled it is expected to increase, with a quarter of the population in the entire GCC suffering from the condition by 2030.
Most cases in Bahrain are of Type-2 with about nine per cent of the population suffering from it. Type 2 diabetes happens when the body cannot use insulin properly. Without treatment, as mentioned earlier, it can cause various health problems, including stroke. Sufferers can manage this disease by making lifestyle changes, taking medication and seeing a healthcare provider for regular check-ups.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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