The Diabetes Mobile Unit (DMU) of RCSI Bahrain continues to raise awareness among the child population in Bahrain on the risk of Type 2 diabetes, thanks to the volunteering efforts of nursing students and staff members of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Among other activities held this academic year, the MDU was invited to participate at an event on the occasion of World Diabetes Day organised by the Bahrain Diabetes Society, under the patronage His Excellency Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health and in the attendance of Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr Maryam Al-Hajri. The DMU led by Ms Danah Smith, Lecturer in Nursing at RCSI Bahrain and Dr Maryam Alaradi, Senior Lecturer in Nursing at RCSI Bahrain, was given a token of appreciation for the continued efforts in promoting awareness to school children on the risks, symptoms and preventative measures of Type 2 diabetes.

President of RCSI Bahrain, Professor Sameer Otoom, commented on the Diabetes Mobile Unit’s work: “At RCSI Bahrain, we are proud of the work done by the Mobile Diabetes Unit volunteers, as their efforts, joined with the University’s research focus on diabetes, are paving the way forward in understanding the disease, improving treatment and creating better health outcomes for people in Bahrain. Continuing to spread awareness is critical for the prevention of Type 2 diabetes, and I look forward to seeing the MDU’s constant support toward communities in Bahrain over the coming years”.

The RCSI Bahrain Diabetes Mobile Unit was first established in 2012 in collaboration with the Bahrain Diabetes Society (BDS) and supported by the Rotary Club of Manama. The aim of the unit is to visit primary government and private schools in Bahrain to teach Year 3 and Year 4 school children about diabetes, healthy eating and active lifestyles through interactive educational games and activities. Since its inception, the Mobile Diabetes Unit has worked to educate nearly 5,000 children in Bahrain.

Nursing Year 4 student, Ms Tala El-Zein, who volunteers with the MDU, commented on her experience: “I feel privileged with this incredible opportunity to support the education of children in Bahrain about lifestyle and food choices and its correlation to Type 2 diabetes. I am very proud to be part of this initiative and the contribution we make towards raising awareness about the risk of diabetes and improving the health of children in Bahrain”.