Latest news with #WorldDiabetesCongress2025
Biz Bahrain
03-06-2025
- Health
- Biz Bahrain
RCSI Medical University of Bahrain Expands Research and Clinical Training Partnerships with Leading Academic and Healthcare Institutions in Thailand
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) – Medical University of Bahrain has taken a significant step in advancing its international outlook by formalising a new partnership with the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University in Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand, as part of its ongoing commitment to expanding international academic and clinical collaboration. On May 23rd, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, and Clinical Professor Artit Ungkanont, M.D., Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital. The agreement facilitates our students' participation in clinical and research electives across a broad range of medical specialities at Ramathibodi Hospital and opens the door to future collaboration in academia, exchange and joint initiatives. Professor Ungkanont, commented on the agreement: 'We believe that through this collaboration, both institutions will grow stronger—by learning from each other, sharing resources and supporting one another in the pursuit of global health equity and the development of future healthcare leaders.'This landmark agreement was part of a wider strategic visit to the Kingdom of Thailand, during which the University delegation also held high-level discussions with Associate Professor Dr Taveesin Tanprayoon, Chief Medical Officer, and Ms Artirat Charukitpipat, Chief Executive Officer of Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok. Discussions focused on establishing clinical elective opportunities in cardiology and exploring avenues for collaborative research in key areas such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and genomics. Commenting on the significance of the partnership, Professor Otoom stated: 'The MoU with Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, and our productive discussion with leading healthcare institutions in Thailand represent an important milestone in our mission to provide world-class clinical and research opportunities for our students. These efforts reflect RCSI Medical University of Bahrain's commitment to academic excellence, global health engagement, and the advancement of medical education through strategic international alliances. These developments follow the recent visit of His Excellency Sumate Chulajata, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Kingdom of Bahrain, to the University campus. During that meeting, held earlier in May, the University outlined its intention to strengthen ties with Thai institutions through formal partnerships and mutual engagement. Further reinforcing this strategic direction, RCSI Medical University of Bahrain participated in the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) World Diabetes Congress 2025 in Thailand in April. A group of faculty and students contributed actively to scientific discussions and presented impactful research findings, highlighting the importance of regular ophthalmologic screening for pre-diabetic patients. Their research revealed that signs of diabetic retinopathy may be evident at HbA1c levels between 5.7% and 6.4%, a lower threshold than previously assumed. As RCSI Medical University of Bahrain continues to strengthen its network of global partners, the University remains focused on enhancing the academic experience and clinical training of its students, while fostering impactful research that addresses global health challenges.
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Understanding Type 5 Diabetes: A landmark recognition in global health
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes blood sugar. Image: Artem Podrez / Pexels In a landmark announcement at the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) World Diabetes Congress 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, a new category of diabetes, Type 5 Diabetes, was formally recognised by global health experts. This classification represents a long-overdue acknowledgement of a form of diabetes that affects millions but has remained underdiagnosed and misclassified for decades. 'The recognition of Type 5 diabetes marks a historic shift in how we approach diabetes globally. This is about equity, science, and saving lives,' says Professor Peter Schwarz, President of the IDF. What is type 5 diabetes? Type 5 diabetes, also known as malnutrition-related diabetes, is a newly classified form of diabetes driven primarily by chronic undernutrition, especially during the formative years of childhood and adolescence. The condition leads to impaired development of the pancreas, resulting in severe insulin deficiency. Unlike other types of diabetes, however, this form is not caused by autoimmunity, as in Type 1, or insulin resistance, as in Type 2. Who is affected? Type 5 diabetes is estimated to impact 20–25 million people worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) across Asia and Africa. Those affected are often teens and young adults, lean or underweight individuals and those living in resource-limited settings. Because of its unique characteristics, it has often been misclassified as either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes in clinical settings, leading to inappropriate treatment strategies. A major focus of the new IDF Working Group on Type 5 Diabetes, led by Dr. Meredith Hawkins (Albert Einstein College of Medicine, USA) and Dr. Nihal Thomas (Christian Medical College, India), is to: Develop formal diagnostic criteria Establish a global patient registry Create educational materials for health workers in LMICs Explore cost-effective therapies Here's a breakdown of all types of diabetes Type 1 diabetes Cause: Autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells Onset: Typically in children and young adults Insulin resistance: Absent Treatment: Lifelong insulin therapy Prevalence: 5–10% of all diabetes cases Type 2 diabetes Cause: Insulin resistance and eventual insulin production decline Onset: Usually adulthood, but increasingly seen in youth Risk factors: Obesity, sedentary lifestyle, genetics Treatment: Diet, exercise, oral meds, sometimes insulin Prevalence: ~90% of all diabetes cases Gestational diabetes Cause: Hormonal changes during pregnancy leading to insulin resistance Onset: During pregnancy Risk: Increased future risk of Type 2 diabetes for both mother and child Treatment: Diet, exercise, insulin if needed Monogenic diabetes Cause: Single gene mutations affecting insulin production Onset: Often in childhood or young adulthood Treatment: Varies because some forms are responsive to sulfonylureas Type 3c diabetes Cause: Damage to the pancreas (e.g., pancreatitis, cancer, surgery) Onset: Variable, depending on pancreatic disease Treatment: Insulin and enzyme replacement Type 5 diabetes (new) Cause: Chronic malnutrition impairs pancreatic development Onset: Teens and young adults, especially in LMICs Insulin resistance: Low Treatment: Often oral medications; tailored to resource availability Prevalence: 20–25 million globally (mostly unrecognised) The recognition of Type 5 Diabetes is more than just a medical milestone, it is a step toward health equity for the millions of people in developing regions who have lacked proper diagnosis and care. The evolution of diabetes classification reflects the growing understanding that diabetes is not a one-size-fits-all disease. With Type 5 diabetes now formally recognised, global healthcare systems have an opportunity, and a responsibility, to adapt diabetes care to diverse populations and unique socioeconomic contexts. IOL Lifestyle
