Qatar Metabolic Institute (QMI) has cared for more than 7,800 patients with diabetes and obesity-related illnesses since its opening in May 2016, it has been announced.
Prof Abdul Badi Abou Samra, chairman of both QMI and Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Department of Internal Medicine, said QMI was established to foster collaboration on clinical, education, and research efforts related to improving the health of those affected by diabetes, obesity, and metabolic disorders. He said patients have been referred to the Institute from across HMC’s network of hospitals as well as from various primary healthcare centers and private hospitals and clinics. Noting that patients have ranged in age from 11 to 77, Prof Abou Samra said around 72% of the patients treated at QMI are female.
“The Institute has four sections, the Pre- and Post-operative Department, which includes ten clinics per week, the Nutrition Department, the Physiotherapy Department, which has four clinics per week for each section, and the Weight Control Department, with 15 clinics per week. Our Weight Control Department sees the highest number of patients, with around 49% of patients who are treated at QMI being cared for by the team working in our Weight Control Department,” said Prof Abou Samra.
Dr Buthaina Ibrahim Alowinati
He noted that since being established, QMI has become a focal point for the country’s scientific research and medical investigation into metabolic diseases. He said QMI is well known as a platform for collaboration on education, research programmes, and knowledge sharing, related to understanding and preventing metabolic diseases in Qatar.
Prof Abou Samra said efforts are currently underway to implement Qatar’s National Diabetes Strategy 2016-2022, which he said aims to prioritise Qatar’s response to diabetes and its complications and to reduce the impact of diabetes in the community. He said a number of objectives within the strategy also focus on evaluating current approaches to diabetes services and care and the improved coordination of healthcare resources across the health sector.
He noted that the opening of the National Obesity Treatment Center last year has been an important milestone in supporting many of the Strategy’s objectives. The National Obesity Treatment Center, which sits under the QMI banner, reinforces HMC’s, and Qatar’s, commitment to providing effective and compassionate care for the prevention of weight-related diseases. Prof Abou Samra said this is especially important in Qatar, due to the high prevalence of metabolic complications resulting from obesity and diabetes.
He said all weight loss programmes offered at the National Obesity Treatment Center emphasise lifestyle modifications, highlighting adjustments to the types and quantities of foods consumed and the incorporation of physical activity goals. He added that staff at the National Obesity Treatment Center work with patients to help them set and reach weight loss goals.
With more than 70% of the population considered overweight or obese, Dr Buthaina Ibrahim Alowinati, a senior consultant at the National Diabetes Center, said HMC is providing an essential service in offering effective and compassionate care for the prevention of weight-related diseases.
“Since weight-related diseases are so common among our population, we need to focus on those with the highest risk of metabolic complications. The National Obesity Treatment Center and Qatar Metabolic Institute have contributed to the development of therapeutic pathways that are helping patients to effectively manage and control diabetes and obesity and the disease’s risk factors and complications,” said Dr Alowinati.
She added that the National Obesity Treatment Center is also working to increase public awareness of the risks of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
Prof Abdul Badi Abou Samra, chairman of both QMI and Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Department of Internal Medicine, said QMI was established to foster collaboration on clinical, education, and research efforts related to improving the health of those affected by diabetes, obesity, and metabolic disorders. He said patients have been referred to the Institute from across HMC’s network of hospitals as well as from various primary healthcare centers and private hospitals and clinics. Noting that patients have ranged in age from 11 to 77, Prof Abou Samra said around 72% of the patients treated at QMI are female.
“The Institute has four sections, the Pre- and Post-operative Department, which includes ten clinics per week, the Nutrition Department, the Physiotherapy Department, which has four clinics per week for each section, and the Weight Control Department, with 15 clinics per week. Our Weight Control Department sees the highest number of patients, with around 49% of patients who are treated at QMI being cared for by the team working in our Weight Control Department,” said Prof Abou Samra.
Dr Buthaina Ibrahim Alowinati
He noted that since being established, QMI has become a focal point for the country’s scientific research and medical investigation into metabolic diseases. He said QMI is well known as a platform for collaboration on education, research programmes, and knowledge sharing, related to understanding and preventing metabolic diseases in Qatar.
Prof Abou Samra said efforts are currently underway to implement Qatar’s National Diabetes Strategy 2016-2022, which he said aims to prioritise Qatar’s response to diabetes and its complications and to reduce the impact of diabetes in the community. He said a number of objectives within the strategy also focus on evaluating current approaches to diabetes services and care and the improved coordination of healthcare resources across the health sector.
He noted that the opening of the National Obesity Treatment Center last year has been an important milestone in supporting many of the Strategy’s objectives. The National Obesity Treatment Center, which sits under the QMI banner, reinforces HMC’s, and Qatar’s, commitment to providing effective and compassionate care for the prevention of weight-related diseases. Prof Abou Samra said this is especially important in Qatar, due to the high prevalence of metabolic complications resulting from obesity and diabetes.
He said all weight loss programmes offered at the National Obesity Treatment Center emphasise lifestyle modifications, highlighting adjustments to the types and quantities of foods consumed and the incorporation of physical activity goals. He added that staff at the National Obesity Treatment Center work with patients to help them set and reach weight loss goals.
With more than 70% of the population considered overweight or obese, Dr Buthaina Ibrahim Alowinati, a senior consultant at the National Diabetes Center, said HMC is providing an essential service in offering effective and compassionate care for the prevention of weight-related diseases.
“Since weight-related diseases are so common among our population, we need to focus on those with the highest risk of metabolic complications. The National Obesity Treatment Center and Qatar Metabolic Institute have contributed to the development of therapeutic pathways that are helping patients to effectively manage and control diabetes and obesity and the disease’s risk factors and complications,” said Dr Alowinati.
She added that the National Obesity Treatment Center is also working to increase public awareness of the risks of lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and obesity.