Dissecting diabetes' workshop – A Malaysia-Pakistan collaborative initiative

Abstract

Introduction. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a condition of chronic hyperglycaemia with many complications, leading to high morbidity. The prevalence of type-2 DM in Asia, particularly in Muslim populations such as Malaysia and Pakistan, is rising at an exponential rate, explained in part by the Asian diabetes phenotype. A conversation between these countries would enable delineation of common issues to improve patient care. Hence, an initiative on tackling diabetes was conducted between endocrinologists from Malaysia and Pakistan, aimed to update participants on the latest advances in disease management and provide a platform for sharing experiences and exchange of ideas. Program. This 2-day event, hosted at Hospital Al-Sultan Abdullah, consisting of lectures interspersed with clinical-case discussions and tour of the facilities. Initiated by a session on the changing landscapes of DM treatment in the digital area, focusing on regional diabetes burden highlighting Asian metabolic characteristics, and followed by discussion on the latest guidelines and its implications to the countries in this region, trailed by a lively interactive session, with clinical-case discussions. The Pakistan delegation then had a guided tour of the diabetes resource centre, wards, and clinics areas, culminating in discourse on experimental learning and experience-sharing between the delegates from Pakistan and the local team, with illustration of clinical cases, understanding the similarities and differences between these two nations. The second day concentrated on common complications of diabetes mellitus, with knowledge-sharing sessions by nephrologists, cardiologists and gastroenterologists, followed by a tour of the haemodialysis unit, daycare, and rehabilitation services, facilitated by interactions with respective healthcare-practitioners. A dialog on the psychological impact of diabetes on quality-of-life ensued, and this program concluded with an engaging session on the role of Augmented Intelligence and digital tools in research, followed by a brainstorming and networking session. Conclusion. This workshop was well-received by all the parties involved, with positive feedback and encouraging response for future collaborations.