Leicester experts support Singapore in diabetes fight

Expertise in preventing and treating Type 2 diabetes developed in Leicester will be used in Singapore’s 'war on diabetes'.

A ministerial delegation from the country learned more about how to better treat and prevent Type 2 diabetes from the city’s world-renowned centre of excellence in diabetes research, innovation and education.

Minister of State for Health Dr Lam Pin Min and a team of senior health officials visited the Leicester Diabetes Centre as part of a fact-finding tour of the UK to help shape a public health campaign launched because one in nine people in Singapore has diabetes.

The Leicester Diabetes Centre, which is based at Leicester General Hospital, was visited because it had been identified by the team as a leading light in the battle against the condition.

The Leicester Diabetes Centre has also worked with Singapore colleagues as part of its ‘Integrated diabetes care programme’ initiative, with healthcare professionals from the country going on a learning placement at the centre from November 2016 to June 2017 to observe the clinical, educational and research activities.

Professor Kamlesh Khunti, who is a Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at our University, said: “The delegation from Singapore are committed to improving the country’s significant diabetes burden. We have shared what we have learned to help them to ensure they have the right strategy in place to both improve care and reduce the number of people with Type 2 diabetes.”

Professor Melanie Davies CBE, a Professor of Diabetes Medicine Professor at our University, said: “We are proud of the reputation we have built up through the work we have done to support the prevention and improved treatment and self-management of type 2 diabetes by furthering knowledge and education. We welcomed the opportunity to share this with international colleagues.”