Al-Azhar University Hospital in Asyut organised a targeted health education campaign aimed at patients with diabetes, reinforcing routine care and prevention measures to improve outcomes. The initiative, titled “Your Diabetes Under Control: A Conscious Step to a Healthy Life,” was coordinated by the clinical pharmacy team in collaboration with the pharmacovigilance unit and involved intern pharmacists from the 2025 and 2026 cohorts.
Diabetes awareness campaign Egypt highlights screenings and prevention
The campaign focused on practical, evidence-based guidance for living safely with diabetes. Health professionals addressed the nature of the disease, common complications and everyday strategies that reduce risk, including healthy eating habits, regular blood glucose monitoring and the importance of scheduled medical reviews. Organisers placed particular emphasis on preventing diabetic foot complications, a leading cause of disability among people with diabetes.
Senior hospital administrators and clinical leaders attended the event, underlining institutional support for the programme. Present were Dr Mohamed Baha Khodrawi, Director of Therapeutic Affairs; Dr Bahaa El-Din Abdel Hafez, Director of Emergency and Injuries; and Dr Norhan Mohamed Tharwat, Director of Medical Supplies and Pharmacies. The campaign also acknowledged the wider leadership of Al-Azhar University, including President Salama Dawood and regional vice-presidents.
Pharmacists played a central role by advising patients on appropriate medication use, potential side effects and how to report adverse reactions through pharmacovigilance channels. This pharmacist-led approach aimed to strengthen medication safety and adherence, particularly for patients managing multiple treatments. The presence of intern pharmacists provided hands-on educational opportunities and reinforced workforce development in clinical pharmacy services.
Activities during the campaign included on-site screening, demonstrations of foot care techniques, nutritional counselling and distribution of educational materials tailored to local needs. Clinicians encouraged regular screening for complications and early referral for foot problems, stressing that prompt attention can prevent infections, ulcers and the need for surgical intervention.
The hospital framed the campaign as part of a broader effort to improve public health in Upper Egypt. By combining clinical expertise with community outreach, organisers sought to raise awareness among patients and their families about modifiable risk factors and the benefits of consistent follow-up. The initiative also supports capacity building by involving early-career pharmacists in direct patient education.
Public health experts say such local campaigns are essential to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases across the country. Diabetes remains a major health challenge in Egypt and many BRICS+ nations, where targeted education and accessible screening can reduce complications and long-term healthcare costs. Hospital officials noted that continued investment in patient education and multidisciplinary care models will be vital to achieving better long-term outcomes.
Al-Azhar University Hospital intends to sustain these efforts through follow-up sessions and expanded community outreach, aiming to strengthen preventive care and ensure patients have the knowledge and tools needed to manage their condition confidently.
Key Takeaways:
- Al-Azhar University Hospital in Asyut organised a diabetes awareness campaign to raise patient knowledge and prevent complications.
- The clinical pharmacy and pharmacovigilance teams, with intern pharmacists, provided education on disease management, healthy diets and regular screening.
- Special emphasis was placed on preventing diabetic foot complications and ensuring medication safety through pharmacist-led guidance.
- The initiative reflects Al-Azhar’s wider commitment to public health and improving quality of life for patients across Upper Egypt.
