Medical centre launches workshop for nurses

The Sheikh Khalifa Medical Centre here has launched an annual workshop for nurses from different hospitals in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain to train and update nursing staff on the new developments in the field.

The first annual workshop, organised by Clinical Resources Nurses at the Sheikh Khalifa Nursing Education Department, was held for 80 nurses from six hospitals in the emirate. Twenty-three nurses from Centre, 30 from Jazeira Hospital, five from Central Hospital, 20 from Tawam Hospital and one each from the Military Hospital and Al Ain Hospital attended the first one-day workshop.

According to Roberta Blakely, the nephrology clinical resource nurse, who conducted the workshop, the aim of the programme is to provide education to nurses in the emirate and increase their knowledge of patient care.

The first annual workshop was called Diabetes Education Day, with lectures on how to take care of diabetic patients. Blakely gave a presentation on how to help avoid complications caused by diabetes among children.

She said although diabetes cannot be prevented, ailments resulting from the disease, such as blindness, can be prevented. Referring to the worldwide problem of diabetes, she said: "Diabetes is a huge problem in the Middle East, especially in the UAE. It is probably a genetic problem in the region. It has also do with the change in diet and exercise."

She said exercise and healthy food helps prevent other complications such as blood pressure among people with diabetes. Dr Ali Khalil of internal medicine at the centre, who also gave a lecture, said the response to the first workshop was very encouraging.

Referring to future plans, Blakely said the areas of focus for the forthcoming annual workshop may be nephrology (dialysis and kidney disease), paediatrics and critical care. She also said there will be a Diabetes Day every spring and Nephrology Day every autumn.

Meanwhile, Al Corniche Hospital will organise a two-day diabetes awareness campaign on February 14. The Diabetes Awareness Campaign is being launched following its success last year. Three sessions of lectures and presentations will be held for the general public.

According to the hospital, the session on February 15 will be for ladies only. There will be lectures both in Arabic and English and blood sugar and blood group check-ups for the public as well.