The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) - Medical University of Bahrain has actively contributed this month to improving diabetes prevention, management and research through its active participation in the Bahrain Diabetes Conference & Global Diabetic Foot Course 2025 and the World Diabetes Day activities held in the Kingdom of Bahrain thanks to the support of the Community Engagement Office.

Created in 2012, the University’s Diabetes Mobile Unit (DMU) initiative is a testament to our community-centred approach to diabetes prevention with over 7,900 children tutored to lead a healthy balanced lifestyle to minimise the risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes to date.

At the World Diabetes Day event organised by the Bahrain Diabetes Society in collaboration with the Royal Medical Services and the WHO Office in Bahrain on November 13th and 14th, 86 nursing and medical students collaborated with healthcare professionals to engage visitors of all ages in meaningful discussions, screenings, and educational activities about diabetes care and prevention. 

These activities used educational materials developed by university academics led by Ms Danah Smith, Lecturer in Nursing and Academic Director of the DMU, in collaboration with the Bahrain Diabetes Society, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, and supported by the Rotary Club of Manama. 

Through the strong participation of our nursing and medical students, staff and alumni at the Bahrain Diabetes Conference & Global Diabetic Foot Course 2025, we were proud to witness that thirteen of the twenty research posters presented were produced by our students, which reflects our students’ growing interest and impact toward evidence-based diabetic patient care.

We thank all participants for their valuable contributions, and we extend congratulations to Ms Sarah Hasan, Med4 student and DMU member, who achieved first place for her poster titled “Restoring impaired healing in diabetic ulcers: the promise of macromolecular crowding agents.” Recognition was also given to Mr Osama Zeidan, Med4 student and DMU member, who earned third place for his systematic review on the “Influence of insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes on cognitive decline and dementia in Parkinson’s disease.” 

Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, commented: “Through the Diabetes Mobile Unit, our interprofessional academic programmes and our research efforts, we contribute to strengthening community health and preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals to lead improvements in diabetes prevention, management and patient care. We are grateful to His Excellency Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health and President of Bahrain Diabetes Society, Her Excellency Dr Maryam Al Hajiri, Vice President of Bahrain Diabetes Society,  and all our initiative partners for enabling us to improve health outcomes through education and community-focused initiatives, supporting a healthier future for the people of Bahrain.” 

Reflecting our commitment to supporting Bahrain’s health priorities, RCSI Medical University of Bahrain is committed to contributing to key platforms for knowledge exchange and innovation in the management of diabetes and diabetes-related complications, as well as diabetes prevention among the local population.