Indian Doctors Forum, Kuwait Conducts Docfest 2025
KUWAIT CITY, Mar 6: Indian Doctors Forum (IDF) Kuwait, A premier Sociocultural Association of Indian Doctors in the state of Kuwait. The Forum commemorated the release of 20th edition of their most popular Health Guide – Smart Healt,h followed by the Annual Cultural Extravaganza, Docfest 2025 at Hotel Regency on 21st February 2025. The event was graced by the magnanimous presence of the Chief Guest of the event H H.E. Ahmad Abdulwahab Al Awadhi, the Hon Minister of Health, Kuwait, Guest of Honors, H E Dr Adarsh Swaika, Ambassador of India in Kuwait, and Dr Abdulla Al Banna, Vide President of Kuwait Medical Association.
The presence of a Galaxy of Dignitaries including Sheikha Umm Rakan Al Sabah, Sheikh Salman Badr Al Sabah, Sheikha Al Abdullah, Sheikha Dosari, Sheikha Anisa Al Sabah, many prominent Doctors, HODs of various departments of MOH, and many administrative heads of different Governmental organisations ornamented the event. IDF was pleased by the attendance of Senior businesspersons, Presidents, representatives of different associations in Kuwait, and the Sponsors of Health Guide 2025. Dr Philipose George, General Secretary of IDF welcomed the assembled dignitaries and Guests. He focused on the community health promotional activities which are regularly conducted by IDF
In his speech, Dr Sameer Humad, President of IDF, welcomed the audience and highlighted the issue of raising health awareness. He expressed his gratitude to all the guests, dignitaries, and doctors and their families for attending the event. Dr Sushovana Sujit Nair, Vice President of IDF, anchored the program perfectly, and Dr Mohan Ram, Vice President of IDF, expressed the vote of thanks.
The inaugural speech was given by H E Ahmad Al Awadhi in which he conveyed his congratulations to IDF, diaspora of Indian Doctors in Kuwait and to the Indian Community at large. He highlighted the close bond between India and Kuwait. H E Dr Adarsh Swaika praised the Indian doctor's dedication and work ethics. Dr Abdullah Al Banna highlighted the valuable contribution made by the Indian Doctors.
Dr Arijit Chattopadhaya, the Chief Editor of the Health Guide, together with his team of Co-editors, discussed Smart Health and the implications of Artificial Intelligence and Gene Therapy in Healthcare. The official part of the program concluded with the release of the Health Guide by H E Ahmad Al Awadhi. The official part of the event was followed by lighting the lamp by the president and dignified ladies to inaugurate the start of the Cultural Event.
The entire Cultural Program was conducted with perfection, innovation, thought provocation and mind blowing, gorgeousness by the Cultural Secretary Dr Anila Albert and Dr Fibisha Nidal. The Theme- Yeh Mera India was depicted from different angles starting from cultural diversities, achievements of India in sports, scientific field and defence, glories of the past and present of India. The houseful of audience was spellbound by the performances of the doctors and their family members. The Audio visual and sound effect was extremely well coordinated and attractive. Choreography of the dances was excellent. Relentless effort by the President and the Office Bearers with the huge enthusiastic audience made the event a complete success. IDF is committed to Human Welfare and conducting such cultural events in the days to come.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
31-05-2025
- Arab Times
From Housewife to Doctor: Indian Woman Busted for Running Illegal Clinic in Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, May 31: As part of the Ministry of Interior's continued efforts to combat unlawful practices and safeguard public health, the Criminal Security Sector, represented by the Investigations Department in Farwaniya Governorate and the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh Investigations Unit, has arrested an Indian national for illegally practicing medicine. The arrest came during a crackdown on illicit activities in the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh area. Investigators discovered that the woman, officially registered as a "housewife," was operating an unlicensed clinic and treating patients without legal authorization. She was apprehended while examining a child. A search of the premises uncovered a cache of medical supplies, including a blood pressure monitor, stethoscope, assorted medications, and infant formula distributed exclusively by the Ministry of Health. Authorities also found capsules containing so-called 'folk remedies' prepared by the suspect and dispensed without any medical oversight. During interrogation, the woman admitted to practicing medicine without any formal medical qualifications or a license from the relevant authorities. She also confessed to importing some of the medications from abroad and purchasing others from local pharmacies. The accused has been referred to the appropriate legal authorities for further action.
Arab Times
19-05-2025
- Arab Times
The link between malnutrition and type 5 diabetes: What you need to know
NEW YORK, May 19: After years of debate, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has officially recognized type 5 diabetes as a distinct diagnosis. This new classification highlights a form of the condition linked to childhood malnutrition, which primarily affects millions of teens and young adults, particularly in regions like Asia and Africa. Dr. Meredith Hawkins, the founding director of the Global Diabetes Institute at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and co-chair of the IDF working group on type 5 diabetes, noted that type 5 diabetes could also impact certain populations in the United States, including children in foster care or migrants who have faced food insecurity. Diabetes in all its forms impacts the body's ability to process glucose, a critical energy source for cells. Without proper regulation, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream, potentially causing damage to vital organs, including the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, resulting in little or no insulin to help cells absorb glucose. In type 2 diabetes, the body either does not use insulin effectively or doesn't produce enough, and obesity is a significant risk factor. However, type 5 diabetes arises from childhood undernutrition, which can impair pancreatic development and reduce insulin production, according to Dr. Hawkins. Although experts have recognized type 5 diabetes for decades, it was often misclassified as either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Dr. Hawkins explained that individuals with type 5 diabetes typically require very small amounts of insulin or oral medication, as standard insulin doses can dangerously lower blood sugar and lead to severe complications, even death. She first noticed these treatment failures while treating young patients in Africa years ago. Currently, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recognizes type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, as well as other types that are caused by specific conditions such as cystic fibrosis, pancreatic disease, organ transplant, steroid therapy, or genetic factors. Other medical organizations acknowledge additional forms of diabetes, such as type 3, which links insulin resistance to Alzheimer's disease, and type 4, which is age-related and found in lean, older adults. Despite advances in diabetes classification, there is no specific blood test to diagnose type 5 diabetes. Dr. Hawkins explained that the diagnosis is largely based on assessing the clinical picture, particularly the patient's history of childhood malnutrition. While malnutrition is the primary factor defining type 5 diabetes, Dr. Hawkins believes that awareness of this condition may also benefit individuals in higher-income countries who experience significant weight loss, such as those who undergo bariatric surgery or use GLP-1 medications. Concerns about this issue were raised by colleagues in Japan, who observed young women intentionally starving themselves and displaying a clinical profile similar to that of individuals with type 5 diabetes. However, Dr. Hawkins emphasized that more research is needed to understand whether extreme weight loss can actually lead to type 5 diabetes. Significant weight loss can reduce muscle mass, which, in turn, affects how the body processes glucose. As skeletal muscle is the body's largest insulin-sensitive tissue and accounts for much of its glucose uptake, losing muscle mass can result in insulin resistance—a condition where cells do not properly respond to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. While the American Diabetes Association has not yet classified type 5 diabetes, experts believe that the delay is likely due to the time required for internal review and consensus within the organization. Dr. Hawkins anticipates that the ADA will formally address the condition soon. Dr. Rozalina McCoy, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, suggested that there may already be cases of type 5 diabetes in the US that have gone unrecognized by healthcare providers. "It is important to consider this unique type of diabetes and treat it carefully, not only in those who have a childhood history of malnutrition, but also in those who have lost significant weight or are malnourished for other reasons, such as an eating disorder or weight loss treatment, either surgical or medical," McCoy said. As more attention is brought to type 5 diabetes, healthcare providers are urged to recognize and properly treat this condition, especially for individuals with a history of childhood malnutrition or significant weight loss.
Arab Times
14-04-2025
- Arab Times
India's pot belly epidemic: A health crisis in the making
NEW DELHI, India, April 14: Once seen as a symbol of prosperity, aging respectability, or indulgence, the Indian pot belly is now at the center of a growing health crisis. Traditionally featured in literature and cinema to depict comfort, laziness, or corruption, and even considered a rural status symbol as evidence of abundance, the protruding belly has long been part of India's social landscape. However, what was once laughed at or admired is now cause for serious concern. India is facing a sharp rise in obesity, and the once-harmless pot belly is turning out to be a dangerous sign of deeper health issues. According to a Lancet study, India had the second-highest number of overweight or obese adults in 2021—about 180 million—trailing only China. That number is projected to surge to 450 million by 2050, nearly a third of the country's expected population. Globally, more than half of adults and one-third of children are predicted to face obesity by mid-century. The core of India's obesity crisis lies in abdominal obesity, or the buildup of fat around the belly. Doctors stress that this is more than a cosmetic issue. As early as the 1990s, researchers linked belly fat to chronic illnesses like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Obesity appears in different forms: peripheral obesity (fat on hips, thighs, and buttocks), generalized obesity (even fat distribution), and abdominal obesity, which poses the highest risk. Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5)—the first to include waist and hip measurements—reveals alarming statistics: nearly 40% of women and 12% of men in India have abdominal obesity. Among women aged 30–49, nearly half meet the criteria, which is defined as a waist over 90 cm (35 inches) for men and 80 cm (31 inches) for women. Urban residents are more affected, with high waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratios being key risk indicators. So why is belly fat so dangerous? A major reason is insulin resistance, a condition where the body doesn't respond properly to insulin, which regulates blood sugar. Belly fat interferes with insulin function, making it harder to control blood sugar levels. Interestingly, South Asians tend to carry more fat than Caucasians at the same Body Mass Index (BMI). More importantly, it's about where fat accumulates. In South Asians, fat often gathers around the trunk or under the skin, but their fat cells are less efficient at storing it safely. When these cells reach capacity, fat overflows into critical organs like the liver and pancreas, increasing the risk of metabolic diseases. Though the exact biological causes are still unclear, one theory suggests an evolutionary link. Centuries of famines and food scarcity may have trained the Indian body to store fat efficiently for survival. The abdomen, being the most expandable area, became the default storage zone. But as food availability increased in modern times, this storage function turned harmful. Dr. Anoop Misra, head of Delhi's Fortis-C-DOC Centre for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, supports this theory. 'It's speculative but plausible,' he says, though no specific gene has been consistently linked to this fat storage pattern. In response, the Indian Obesity Commission last year updated its obesity guidelines for Asian Indians, going beyond BMI to focus on fat distribution and health risks. They proposed a two-stage system: Stage One includes high BMI without abdominal obesity or related diseases, where lifestyle changes like diet and exercise usually suffice. Stage Two involves harmful belly fat and is often linked to diabetes, joint pain, or heart issues. This stage requires intensive treatment, including newer weight loss drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide. 'As surprising as it sounds, even people with normal weight can have dangerous levels of belly fat,' warns Dr. Misra. Physicians attribute the rise in abdominal obesity to lifestyle changes: high consumption of processed foods, takeaways, and calorie-dense home cooking. Between 2009 and 2019, India, along with Cameroon and Vietnam, saw the fastest growth in ultra-processed food sales. Experts now believe Indians need stricter health guidelines than their Western counterparts. For example, while 150 minutes of weekly exercise may be enough for European men, South Asians may require 250–300 minutes to manage fat more effectively. 'Our bodies simply aren't built to handle excess fat like Western bodies can,' Dr. Misra adds. The pot belly is no longer just a cultural trope—it's a serious health warning. With obesity on the rise, India is facing a looming public health crisis, and urgent action is needed before it spirals out of control.
