News

In line with the pioneering role of Theodor Bilharz Research Institute in supporting public health and consolidating prevention concepts within work environments, and under the patronage of Professor Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz, Director and Chairman of Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, the Quality and Patient Safety Unit, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Hanan Ali Sayed, organized a scientific and awareness lecture entitled “Diabetes in the Workplace.” This event was held within the framework of the Institute’s plan to disseminate health culture and enhance the level of preventive awareness among employees.

The lecture was delivered by Prof. Dr. Samia Ali Abdo, Professor of Internal Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, El- Asema University, who presented a comprehensive scientific overview addressing diabetes from various medical and preventive perspectives. She offered an integrated scientific vision covering the concept of diabetes, its causes, pathophysiological mechanisms, and its health and occupational impacts, with particular emphasis on its direct effects on job performance and quality of life within the workplace.
The lecture included a detailed explanation of diabetes mellitus and its different types, including Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, as well as the prediabetes stage as a warning phase preceding the onset of the disease. Clinical symptoms and diagnostic methods through measuring blood glucose levels were also discussed.
The lecture further emphasized the importance of preventing diabetes and its complications by adhering to a healthy lifestyle based on proper nutrition, increased physical activity, and maintaining an ideal body weight, in addition to the necessity of regular adherence to prescribed medications and recognizing the role of non-pharmacological management, such as exercise and a balanced diet.
It also addressed the acute and chronic complications of diabetes, providing a detailed explanation of the symptoms of hypoglycemia and immediate response measures. Moreover, it highlighted the importance of spreading community awareness of diabetes within the workplace, given its essential role in reducing complication rates and saving patients in emergency situations.
The lecture also included practical guidance for educating people with diabetes in the work environment, such as not skipping meals during working hours, adhering to medication schedules, informing a trusted colleague about emergency procedures, keeping a snack or juice readily available, and discussing challenges related to psychological stress, tension, and the nature of certain jobs, along with healthy coping strategies.

In this context, Dr. Ahmed Abdel Aziz, Director of the Institute, stated that organizing such awareness activities comes within the framework of Theodor Bilharz Research Institute’s vision to establish prevention as a fundamental pillar of public health, especially in addressing chronic diseases—foremost among them diabetes—which represents one of the most impactful health challenges affecting individuals, society, and the workplace alike. The Institute believes that raising health awareness among employees and providing them with accurate scientific knowledge directly contributes to reducing disease incidence and complications, improving quality of life and work productivity, and enhancing occupational safety standards within institutions. The Institute also affirms its continued commitment to its scientific and societal role in supporting educational initiatives and building health-aware cadres capable of properly managing chronic diseases, thereby achieving health sustainability and serving comprehensive development goals.

The event concluded with positive engagement from attendees, who affirmed that such meetings constitute a fundamental pillar in building a healthy and safe work environment. Through these initiatives, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute continues to fulfill its societal and scientific role in supporting health prevention and promoting a culture of awareness, contributing to the protection of human resources and the advancement of the healthcare system on a sustainable basis.