Diabetes education course for nurses

As part of the ‘Action on Diabetes’ initiative, the Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) and Maersk Oil Qatar yesterday launched an accredited diabetes education course for nurses in Qatar. The programme, which will run from October until May 2013, will be delivered by the Canadian Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences, with support from staff at Calgary University- Qatar. Speaking at the launch event, QDA executive director Dr Abdullah al-Hamaq said: “The Diabetes Educator Certification course will offer a world class certification programme to diabetes educators in Qatar. It is the first accredited programme of its kind to be run in Qatar.” He mentioned that QDA has always strived to deliver programmes and services to people affected by diabetes, and share the latest diabetes information with care providers to help improve the overall quality of life of diabetics. “We are very pleased to work with our ‘Action on Diabetes’ partners - Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), The Supreme Council of Health, The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), Novo Nordisk and Maersk Oil Qatar - to deliver another valuable project as part of the ‘Action on Diabetes’ initiative.” QDA’s Programme manager Sharoud al-Jundi Matthis explained that the programme will entail online studies and workshops. “The introduction workshops will be held on October 20 and 21 at the UCQ. Other meetings will be held in February and May after which participants will be awarded a certificate on completion of the eight-month course,” she said. The official mentioned that the first group of trainees will be nominated by the management of HMC, PHC, QDA and the private sector. “From the second year, the course will be open for application. However, the participants should be graduates of nurses and dieticians of a four-year course. The programme is ongoing. It will be offered every year. The second group will be open to those who would wish to apply but for the first group, participants should be nominated by their managements,” she explained. The second group probably will have to pay for the course, she said. Applicants to the course should provide copies of their resume and a proof of two years of patient care experience. According to Matthis, it is expected that the programme will attract other diabetes educators from within the region. The course targets nurses and dieticians from QDA, HMC, PHCC as well as the private sector. Health providers from Kuwait, Bahrain and Pakistan will also participate. Maersk Oil Qatar Social Investment head Faisal al-Medaihki said: ”Maersk Oil Qatar and our partners are pleased to support the education, training, and development of nurses here in Qatar as part of our broader ‘Action on Diabetes’ programme. We are particularly pleased to be drawing upon the expertise of well-known and highly regarded international partners, who will work with our partnership members to deliver a tailored education programme for Qatar.” Action on Diabetes was launched in November 2011 and aims to help deliver the Emir’s vision of a healthy and prosperous Qatar and support the Qatari authorities to reduce the incidence of diabetes. More information on the initiative can be found at www.action-on-diabetes.qa From GT