Pharmacists Association for Patients Education, affiliated to the Pharmacy Department of Hamad General Hospital, launched a four-day public awareness programme on treatment of diabetes recently. Activities, launched at the entrance and lounge of the Outpatient Department (OPD) at Hamad General Hospital (HGH), will continue till June 11. The opening day’s activities attracted a large number of OPD patients and visitors, from various nationalities, where the team of pharmacists delivered educative lectures, giving basic information on diabetes, risk factors of diabetes, preventive measures, how to take diabetic medications, with special focus on the proper ways to take insulin injections and maintain the proper insulin dosage. Educative information were delivered to audience in Arabic and English, through two separate display platforms, one for the male and the other for the female audience. “This educational programme is the first of its kind to be organised by the Pharmacists Association for Patients Education,” said Dr Halima Al Tamimi, Head of Pharmacy Department, HGH. “The programme aims at consolidating the inter-relationship between the pharmacist and the patient. It highlights the pharmacist role in the therapeutic process as well as his / her educational role in the community.” Dr Al Tamimi revealed that medications prescriptions issued for the diabetics visiting HGH are on constant increase. “This signals a persistent increase in diabetics and those who are susceptible to have diabetes. Hence emerges the importance and comprehensive role of the pharmacist in educating patients on the appropriate way to deal with the treatment of their ailments.” Pharmacist Osama Ahmed Hamad, Chairman of the Pharmacists Association for Patients Education said that 14 pharmacists are enlisted in this educational programme, four of them shall daily be available at males and females display platform. “This programme is anticipated to continue for specified periods to educate the public on the most common diseases such as asthma and provide appropriate counselling on the drugs and medications delivered by the pharmacist,” Dr Osama said. http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=June2009&file=Local_News2009061031028.xml

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