DOHA: Advancing the understanding of diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome, the three-day XVII International DALM Symposium hosted by Qatar Foundation and Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, and the Giovanni Lorenzini Medical Foundation in Milan, Italy and Houston, Texas, opened here yesterday. More than 650 scientists, physicians, and other healthcare practitioners have converged in Doha to present and share the latest scientific research on the causes and treatment of diabetes, obesity and the metabolic syndrome. More than 100 scientific abstracts were submitted by researchers from all over the world for the symposium, which is being held outside of the United States and Italy for the first time since it began in 1960. “The presentations and discussions at this symposium will advance our understanding of these disorders and our ability to reduce their impact on people’s lives,” said Mohammad Fathy Saoud, President of Qatar Foundation. “Diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome are public health challenges that are addressed by the newly developed and approved National Health Strategy. By bringing together experts from around the world, this symposium will help us address these health challenges.” The programme, which features keynote presentations by international experts and panel discussions will focus on risk factors, diagnosis and pharmacological treatment of diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome; lifestyle and dietary modifications in patients with or at risk for the disorders and applicability of international prevention and treatment guidelines for populations within the Middle East. “Symposia such as this one help broaden our understanding of the genetic, environmental and cultural risk factors related to obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome,” says Antonio Gotto, dean of Weill Cornell Medical College, who is co-chairing the symposium. Economic and public health challenges of the disorders, novel risk factors, emerging biomarkers, genetic testing and clinical information related to treatment of women, young people and the elderly will also be highlighted. “As Qatar’s only medical college, we welcome the opportunity to help bring scientists and physicians together to focus on significant issues in patient care here and around the world,” said Javaid Sheikh, dean of WCMC-Q, who also is co-chairing the symposium. “We are delighted to join with Qatar Foundation and WCMC-Q to bring the DALM Symposium to Qatar, which allows us to share the latest and most significant scientific discoveries related to diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome with physicians and health care practitioners in the Middle East,” said Rodolfo Paoletti, president of the Giovanni Lorenzini Medical Foundation, who is co-chairing the symposium. Also participating in the XVII International DALM Symposium are the Supreme Council of Health, Hamad Medical Corporation, and Qatar Diabetes Association. By Huda NV

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