His Excellency Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, President of the Supreme Council of Health and President of the Bahrain Diabetes Society, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with His Excellency Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of the Arabian Gulf University (AGU). This agreement aims to deepen partnerships and enhance strategic areas of cooperation, as well as to adopt joint community initiatives between the two entities.

During the signing ceremony, Lt. Gen. Dr Shaikh Mohammed congratulated the President of the University on the occasion of its notable achievement in the Times Higher Education ranking for universities for the year 2025, where it attained a prominent position amongst institutions worldwide. He acknowledged the considerable efforts and humanitarian services rendered by the university, including its medical talent and outstanding students, in promoting community awareness that directly contributes to alleviating the health challenges faced by the Bahraini and Gulf communities. He also highlighted the community initiatives targeting individuals with diabetes and their families, expressing pride in these commendable efforts and confidence in their continuation. 

The President of the Supreme Council of Health noted that the Bahrain Diabetes Society, in alignment with its shared objectives with AGU, supports national endeavours to bolster community prevention of the disease. The Society seeks to educate those affected on measures and strategies that can alleviate symptoms and enhance their quality of life, while also striving to reduce treatment costs. He affirmed the commitment to continue collaborative efforts aimed at fostering a community characterised by health and safety.

Additionally, Lt. Gen. Dr Shaikh Mohammed also emphasised the importance of joint initiatives to raise awareness about diabetes within the community and to ensure that various segments of society understand the nature of the disease, its symptoms and the risk factors associated with it. He deemed this awareness an essential component of the prevention and treatment framework necessary to combat the disease and mitigate its health, psychological, social and economic impacts.

On his part, AGU President expressed his appreciation for the ongoing efforts of the Bahrain Diabetes Society in enhancing public knowledge about diabetes and preventive methods. 

During the signing ceremony, he welcomed the expansion of cooperation between the two parties to consolidate efforts and launch initiatives aimed at promoting awareness and encouraging the community to adopt healthy habits and lifestyles that reduce the risk of diabetes. He also highlighted the importance of educating diabetes patients on essential measures that can help mitigate the disease’s effects.

Dr Al Fuhaid confirmed that the University is committed to leveraging its full range of resources, staff and scientific and research capabilities to address health issues within Bahrain and the GCC region. He stated that AGU is prepared to join forces with the Society to achieve common goals surrounding public awareness of diabetes, elucidating its symptoms and outlining strategies for prevention and treatment to minimise its complications.

It is noteworthy that the memorandum outlines several procedural steps aimed at bolstering cooperation in the fight against diabetes. These include the implementation of awareness campaigns and collaborative programmes concerning the disease, participation in various events organised by both parties, the exchange of expertise and visits to further the objectives of the memorandum, and the development of diverse educational and awareness materials related to diabetes, alongside means of raising awareness and mitigating its health impacts on the community.