Leicester hosts international diabetes conference

Leading diabetes doctors from the Middle East are learning more about the condition at an international event held in Leicester.

Clinicians from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are visiting the city as part of the Rising Stars Preceptorship Conference running from Tuesday, May 5, to Saturday, May 9.

It is taking place at the Leicester Diabetes Centre, an international centre of excellence in diabetes research and education based at Leicester General Hospital.

Professor Heather Daly, from the centre, said: “This high-profile meeting is a further demonstration of our increasing international reputation as a leading force in diabetes.

Delegates during a workshop at the event

“The fact we are held in such high esteem internationally should be welcome news for people with diabetes in Leicestershire, it shows that they have excellent diabetes care available locally.”

Topics being covered during the conference, which has been sponsored by Sanofi Diabetes, include treatment options, insulin management, education and self-management as well as new therapies and pregnancy.

High-profile speakers include Professor Daly as well as Professor Melanie Davies and Professor Kamlesh Khunti, who are also both based at the centre and recognised globally as leading diabetes researchers. Key members of the centre’s team are delivering bespoke training.

I came here for the prestige and reputation of the Leicester Diabetes Centre

Ali Hussein Al-Bayati, Assistant Professor and Head of the Endocrinology and Diabetes Centre at the Babylon Medical Centre in Iraq, said: “I came here for the prestige and reputation of the Leicester Diabetes Centre and to have training and learn from the expertise here. I regard it as an opportunity for me to come to the UK.

“I want to share the information and the difference between our health system and the health system here.”

Fellow delegate Elizabeth Abou Jaoude, a diabetes consultant from Lebanon, said: “I know that the Leicester Diabetes Centre is very good.”

Abdul Karima Azmi, a diabetes doctor working in Kuwait, added: “The Leicester Diabetes Centre is very impressive.”

The Leicester Diabetes Centre is a partnership between the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and the University of Leicester. It is a leading applied health research unit committed to improving the lives and care of people with diabetes and other long-term conditions.