A new procedure for treating Type 2 diabetes will be introduced in Doha today by Dr Francesco Rubino, a pioneer in the field, from Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) in New York.

Dr Rubino will deliver a public lecture on the technique at WCMC, Qatar. This will be followed by a further presentation at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) tomorrow.

The novel procedure is an adaptation of an approach used in weight-loss (bariatric) surgery specifically designed to treat Type 2 diabetes. Instead of shrinking the stomach like most approaches to bariatric surgery, his approach reroutes the small intestine, leaving the stomach intact.

In a study published in the Annals of Surgery, Dr Rubino reported that the technique dramatically reduced diabetes in animals—demonstrating for the first time that surgery has a direct effect on Type 2 diabetes unrelated to weight loss. The procedure, now known as Rubino’s Procedure, has been performed on patients at several centers worldwide.

As a world leader in the research, teaching and practice of metabolic and weight-loss surgery, Dr. Rubino’s approaches give hope to millions of people living with obesity and diabetes.

It is estimated that over 180 million people worldwide are affected by diabetes, a figure that is likely to double by 2030. Over 30 percent of sufferers are not aware that they have the metabolic disorder, yet diabetes has serious consequences for health including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and visual impairment leading to blindness.

Executive director of Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA), Dr Abdulla Al Hamaq said: 'As part of our mission, QDA is keen on providing the health care community with the latest updates regarding diabetes management and control.

“The percentage of the population with diabetes in the Gulf countries is among the highest in the world. QDA is working hard on educating and empowering the person with diabetes to manage his condition successfully and thus avoid complications. QDA welcomes Dr Rubino and the Weill Cornell initiative, and will be following closely this novel approach in diabetes management.'

Dr Rubino was recently appointed associate professor of surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College, and director of gastrointestinal metabolic surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center – an entirely new section of the Department of General Surgery and one of the first of its kind in the world.

Also visiting Doha this week is Dr Alfons Pomp, professor of surgery, Frank Glenn Faculty Scholar in Surgery and attending surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell.

Dr Pomp, who is chief of the section of laparoscopic and bariatric surgery, is an expert in surgical weight-loss procedures that also play a part in controlling diabetes in overweight patients, and in minimally invasive (keyhole) techniques.

Welcoming the experts to Doha, professor and vice chairman of Surgery at WCMC-Q, Dr Bakr Nour said their visit paved the way for further cooperation between the Medical College and HMC.

“Both Dr Pomp and Dr Rubino are bringing significant experience in these important surgical procedures to colleagues at HMC and WCMC-Q, and this will strengthen cooperation in areas that are of great importance to the population in Qatar and the wider region.

“We look forward to working together in the future, as the partnership between the institutions grows even stronger,” Dr. Nour said.--TradeArabia News Service)