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An initial two-year pilot project to help raise child awareness of diabetes is to be extended.
So far, more than 1,200 primary school-aged children from government and private schools have been educated about Type 2 diabetes and the benefits of healthy living.
Type 2 diabetes represents 45 per cent of all newly-diagnosed cases of diabetes in children and adolescents. Rising childhood obesity rates in recent years have caused a corresponding increase in previously ‘adult only’ conditions, including Type 2 diabetes.
Julie Sprakel, head of RCSI Bahrain’s community engagement office, said: “The mobile unit’s success is in part due to the programme being included within the University’s School of Nursing’s Year Three curriculum, in which only the top academic students can participate.”
The mobile unit was donated to the Bahrain Diabetes Society by the Rotary Club. Their ongoing support enables the mobile unit to provide children with educational leaflets and use of interactive education games.
Both the society and RCSI Bahrain are celebrating important milestones this year. The Bahrain Diabetes Society is celebrating 25 years in Bahrain and RCSI Bahrain is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, president of the society, and RCSI Bahrain president, Professor Sameer Otoom, which will allow the continued operation of a Paediatric Mobile Diabetes Unit.
