Dr Maha Taysir Barakat, Medical & Research Director and Consultant Endocrinologist at ICLDC, shares her views of how this new institution add value to specialist healthcare in the region.
ICLDC was created as part of a joint initiative between Mubadala DevelopmentCompany and the UK’s Imperial College London. Can you tell us how the cooperation between these two institutes has given ICLDC a unique edge?
The cooperation between these institutions has provided us with superior capabilities that can help lead the Diabetes management and prevention programs at the national level. Mubadala Healthcare, a division of Mubadala Development Company is dedicated to investments in strategic, high-value projects that enhance the private healthcare infrastructure of Abu Dhabi in particular and the UAE in general. Partnering with Imperial College London brings the world-class tradition of pioneering excellence in teaching and research to the country.
Can you briefly run through the individual themes of your operations and services, explaining your approach to achieving ‘the highest level of specialized patient care from first diagnosis to the management of all the complications associated with diabetes’?
Our emphasis at ICLDC is on prevention, early detection and, more specifically, long-term management of Diabetes. It is estimated that more than a quarter of UAE nationals suffers from Diabetes. ICLDC is working towards managing and eventually reversing this trend. Continuous education under the holistic theme of Diabetes management for these patients and for those around them – family, care-takers, friends – plays a key role in allowing the development of healthy lifestyle habits, and thereby helping to prevent long-term complications.
How would you define your management style? What lessons has ICLDC learnt during its operations in Abu Dhabi?
ICLDC is built and run on a culture of collaboration – that is, collaboration with our partners, our doctors, our community and our patients. We have been very fortunate to continuously receive support from the government, various organisations and our partners and sponsors of countless campaign activities. We also receive tremendous support from the UAE media that allows us to reach out to the community very promptly.
As you grow to understand the diabetes phenomenon in the UAE and the broader Middle East, and aim to cater your services to the region, what challenges have you faced socially, culturally and professionally?
The biggest challenge has been to bring Diabetes to the fore, to be discussed by the community. ICLDC has gladly stepped in to help drive education and awareness of Diabetes in the country.
One of your stated aims is the focus on research. How does that fit into your greater goal of tackling the problem of diabetes in the UAE?
Our vision is to improve the quality of life for those with Diabetes as well as helping to prevent Diabetes in those with a predisposition. Education and research play a crucial role to achieve this vision and to reverse the alarming prevalence that is affecting the UAE and the region. The research facility aims at finding mechanisms to slow down and reverse the development of Diabetes. Research conducted at ICLDC encompasses epidemiological, basic, clinical and genetic research.
Can you tell us about the technological advances in the world of diabetes that ICLDC is bringing to Abu Dhabi?
The Centre provides the highest level of specialised care for patients, starting at the initial diagnosis and all the way to the management of all complications associated with Diabetes. This is achieved through our in-house comprehensive diagnostic facilities which include: on-site blood testing, digital retinal photography, retinal laser machines, ultrasound and x-ray facilities, and the latest in cardiac echocardiography and stress testing to detect the earliest signs of heart disease. All these modalities are integrated into a unique paperless electronic IT system that collates the information and guides treatment according to international evidence-based protocols.
What are ICLDC efforts on community outreach on education and awareness of Diabetes?
ICLDC launched the first-ever public health awareness campaign on Diabetes in the U.A.E: ‘DIABETES. KNOWLEDGE. ACTION’ in the year 2007.
What are the objectives for the campaign?
To encourage community participation in awareness and prevention activities Reach out to community through various campaign activities including the targeting of people at high-risk of developing Diabetes.
Where does ICLDC go from here? Scenarios for the future?
Maintain World-Class Treatment – Continually review and improve treatment of Diabetes at ICLDC in line with evidence-based medicine and latest protocols.
Community outreach through ‘DIABETES. KNOWLEDGE. ACTION’ 2009 - The public health awareness campaign will continue. ICLDC will continually enhance the campaign to focus on those most at risk and also on lifestyle education of the young to protect the next generation.
Support and cooperate with Government Initiatives – We fully support the Emirate wide and federal strategies for primary and secondary prevention against Diabetes. The Centre will work closely with stakeholders – the Government, public and media – to enhance quality of life through prevention of Diabetes.