Kuwait. Opening of the First International Conference on Advanced Diabetes Care

Kuwaiti Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi said that diabetes is one of the most important and common chronic diseases not only in Kuwait but also worldwide and is the main cause of many serious health complications and the second largest cause after road accidents in diabetic foot amputation.

Minister Al-Awadhi added in his opening speech at the First International Conference on Advanced Diabetes Care, organized by Dasman Diabetes Institute - one of the centers of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences today, Friday, that diabetes causes heart and artery diseases, heart attacks, strokes, loss of vision and kidney failure.

He pointed out the importance of holding this conference to discuss all aspects related to diabetes, including prevention, treatment and management of complications, hoping that the outcomes of this conference will positively reflect on the level of health services provided and strengthen scientific ties between Kuwait and advanced international centers, some of which are participating in this event.

He stated that the conference, which will last for three days, is a scientific platform that brings together an elite group of global and local researchers and experts to discuss the latest scientific and research developments related to diabetes and review methods of prevention, innovative treatments and management of complications of the disease.

He pointed out that Dasman Diabetes Institute is a pioneer in the field of diabetes research and treatment in the Middle East, while this conference is an exceptional opportunity to communicate, exchange knowledge and enhance cooperation between healthcare professionals in addition to all parties concerned with combating diabetes.

Minister Al-Awadhi noted the achievements of Dasman Diabetes Institute and its continued delivery of a great message in combating diabetes and its adoption of a comprehensive approach that includes advanced research, integrated prevention, training and rehabilitation of healthcare providers using innovative methods to eliminate this chronic disease.

In a statement to reporters after the opening, the Minister of Health stated that diabetes is one of the biggest challenges facing the world and the patient may need to stay on a dialysis machine or undergo a kidney transplant or suffer from diabetic foot, noting the ministry's keenness to provide the latest medical devices and modern medicines to provide the best medical care.

Minister Al-Awadhi stressed that Kuwait, with all its cadres, institutions, hospitals, and the devices, medicines and oxygen rooms it possesses in various hospitals with a capacity of up to 12 patients, and the scientific research it conducts, all serve the interests of the people of Kuwait and residents on its land, in addition to comprehensive awareness, specifically awareness of the dangers of obesity.

For his part, the acting Director General of Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dr. Faisal Al-Rifai, said that the conference, which is attended by more than 400 doctors, researchers and specialists in Kuwait, the Gulf and the world, sheds light on diabetes as one of the most important and common chronic diseases not only in Kuwait but in the countries of the world as a whole.

Al-Rifai said that the institute was keen to organize this comprehensive conference and delve into all aspects of diabetes, including advanced research on diabetes, its causes and prevention, the latest treatment recommendations, and dealing with complications and preventing them.

He explained that the conference is an exceptional opportunity to communicate, exchange knowledge and enhance cooperation between healthcare professionals, researchers, experts and all parties concerned with diabetes to serve the health of community members.

He stated that the conference addresses several aspects related to diabetes and the complications that may result from it, affecting the heart, arteries, eyesight, kidneys, feet and other organs of the body.

Al-Rifai stated in a statement to reporters that one in five people in Kuwait suffers from diabetes and five countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council are among the 10 countries with the highest prevalence of diabetes, warning of the seriousness of the complications of the disease.