Local medical experts from the field of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diabetes will meet in three cities across KSA this week to attend lectures by internationally renowned expert Professor Mohamed M. Hassanein, consultant in diabetes and endocrinology at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Wales, on the benefits of adherence, therapy adjustment and patient education in managing diabetes. Diabetes mellitus rates in KSA are a major public health problem.2 According to recent data carried out in the Gulf, only 19% of people living with diabetes in the region are psychologically committed to managing their diabetes.3 While the role of the caregiver is playing an increasingly important role in diabetes management 3 healthcare professionals are still the first source of information for patients managing diabetes.
The speaker tour, taking place in Jeddah, Riyadh and Khobar from May 18th to May 22nd will be chaired in each city by a leading Saudi endocrinologist, Dr Mourad Al-Mourad, Consultant & Senior Advisor to The Diabetes Prevention and Control Program at the Ministry of Health. Hosted by LifeScan, part of the Johnson and Johnson family of companies, through its legal distributor in KSA – The Saudi Import Company, the speaker tour is one part of a wider range of initiatives organised by the company designed to support healthcare professionals in the mutual goal of improving patient education on best management practice for diabetes patients in KSA.
“Our goal as healthcare professionals is to improve patients’ outcomes. For people living with diabetes in KSA and their families, it’s vital they understand when their diabetes is well controlled; their quality of life will also improve. We know that the patient plays a key role in managing their diabetes, through a number of measures such as regular self-monitoring of blood glucose levels and adherence to prescribed treatments. This speaker tour is important as it provides a platform for healthcare professionals to discuss and learn about adherence, the importance of regular blood glucose monitoring and the role of patient education in improving adherence and how they can support their patients achieve this,” said Dr Mourad Al-Mourad from the Ministry of Health.
Since January 2013, LifeScan through its distributor in KSA has organized more than 30 patient educational initiatives on diabetes management in hospitals across the Kingdom. Interestingly, over 40% of attendees at these patient events were caregivers who had a family member with diabetes. “This trend is interesting, as it highlights there is a thirst for knowledge amongst caregivers on how they can support a family member with diabetes in managing their condition. More and more we know that caregivers play a key role in supporting their family member with good diabetes management, such as regular monitoring of blood glucose levels and consuming a healthy diet,” said Mohamed Adel Hosni, Head of Medical & Regulatory Affairs, LifeScan. LifeScan recognizes the importance of supporting and partnering with others to serve the broad needs of the diabetes community. “We help advance all aspects of diabetes care, from improving patient education and training to the development of new, more effective solutions. For years LifeScan contributions have helped increase diagnosis and manage their blood glucose. And we successfully partner with healthcare authorities for better care of people with diabetes,” David Jimenez, Business Unit Director, LifeScan.
“Diabetes requires attention daily and vigilance always. LifeScan has developed the Lamasat program to empower patients and their family members with the right knowledge and right tools to carry them through their diabetes journey together. It’s a new chapter in a patient’s life and the life of their loved ones. The Lamasat family support program has been designed around the four C’s which are: Check blood sugar regularly, Control the highs and lows of glucose levels, Consume healthy food, and Care for yourself by exercising and adopting a healthy lifestyle ,” commented Ahmed Habiba, Marketing Manager Middle East, LifeScan.