To combat one of the most debilitating conditions in the UAE, diabetes, Al Rahba Hospital will launch its second comprehensive public awareness campaign on diabetes. This initiative will mark “World Diabetes Day” on November 14, 2011, and will focus on behavioral factors that contribute to the disease.  

“Diabetes is highly prevalent in the UAE and Al Rahba’s diabetes experts believe that prevention of this debilitating condition is essential,” says Nellie Boma, M.D., M.P.H, Chief Medical Officer of Al Rahba Hospital. “Today, we are stepping up our public awareness efforts to inform people that the disease can be prevented or managed through changes in diet and lifestyle, such as eating healthy and exercising more.”  

As part of this year’s public awareness campaign, hospital visitors will be able to measure their blood pressure and glucose levels at the designated health stations located at the hospital entrance. Physicians, pharmacists, nurses, educators and nutritionists will be on hand to talk about the ways to prevent diabetes or better cope with it, and will focus on recognizing early symptoms, the importance of a healthy diet, and medications. 

Last year, Al Rahba Hospital inaugurated its Diabetes Clinic that offers consultation and treatment to patients throughout the United Arab Emirates. This state-of-the-art facility is helping diabetes patients to improve their quality of life through treatment, proactive screening and monitoring, and education. The facility is staffed by diabetes physicians, dietitians, nurses, and educators.  Easy access to the hospital’s cardiologists, nephrologists, and other specialists, permits its staff to meet individual needs of the patients.     

“The Al Rahba Diabetes Clinic focuses on the prevention and treatment of this condition. Its experts provide integrated approaches to diabetes control and management, and offer the latest advancements in this area”, says Dr. Boma.  

The Diabetes Care Team at Al Rahba Hospital is headed by Dr. Nellie Boma. The renowned diabetes expert also coordinates knowledge transfer initiatives with The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, USA. 

The 163-bed hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is managed by Johns Hopkins Medicine International and is owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company PJSC (SEHA).