About this course

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterised by the presence of hyperglycaemia due to defective insulin secretion, defective insulin action, or both. According to the WHO, the global prevalence of diabetes in adults above 18 years was estimated to be 9% in 2014. Diabetes is projected to be the seventh leading cause of death in 2030. The total expenditure on diabetes in 2017 was estimated to be at least USD $727 billion (12% of total expenditure on health). This all shows the importance and seriousness of the threat of diabetes to global health. However, there are reasons for optimism also: early management of risk factors and better control can delay the progression of the disease and prevent complications. To enable this to happen, more healthcare professionals must learn the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours to better care for affected patients.

BMJ has teamed up with the Aga Khan University, Karachi & RCP, London to provide educational support for health professionals to improve care for people with diabetes in Pakistan through Six Months Course in Diabetes which is a perfect blend of e-learning and hands-on training practical at Aga Khan University Karachi under the supervision of subject experts from AKU, which provides both practical and theoretical knowledge to the clinicians. It provides the desired confidence to the doctors while treating the patients and better patient care.

To apply for the course, please click here

About AKU

For over 30 years, The Aga Khan University has built a reputation in Pakistan for excellence in teaching and learning. The mission of AKU is to improve the quality of life in the developing world and beyond, through world-class teaching, research and health-care delivery. With programmes in educational development, medicine, nursing and midwifery, the university aims to inspire young researchers and professionals to become forces of positive change in their communities. The Aga Khan University's Medical College, has a proven track record of providing quality medical education. The Medical College places great emphasis on the professional, personal and intellectual development of students, so that its graduates become contributory members and leaders of society. The University's Postgraduate Medical Education strives to instill critical thinking and analysis into its graduates to promote evidence-based health care and research abiding by the principles of ethics and professionalism. Each programme is carefully structured to produce skilled healthcare professional and to facilitate a process of broad professional and personal development. The University educates students for local and global leadership, generates new knowledge to solve problems that affect millions of people, and raises standards and aspirations in the countries in which it works.

About The Royal College of Physicians

The Royal College of Physicians is a world leader in postgraduate medical education. We deliver a wide range of projects aimed at strengthening health systems and improving medical standards across the globe. Our work spans high-, middle- and low-income countries, ranging from clinical skills workshops in rural Nigeria to accreditation work and guideline development in the middle east. We also develop and coordinate the globally-recognised MRCP (UK) exams as part of the Federation of the Royal College of Physicians.

About IHI

Integrated Human Initiatives, a company incorporated in Pakistan. Kupgrade is a Medical Education initiative of IHI, the registered entity. Kupgrade is the first dedicated Medical Education project within the scope in Pakistan. Our mission is "Knowledge Upgrade". We are proud to partner with the BMJ in Pakistan since 2017. This academic relationship helps us to provide the latest medical content to the Pakistani researchers and healthcare professionals in medical universities and healthcare organizations.

Prof Najmul Islam

MBBS, FRCP (London) Head of Endocrinology, Professor of Medicine & Consultant Endocrinologist, Aga Khan University. Dean/Convenor of Endocrinology, College of Physicians & Surgeons Pakistan. Ex-President & Founding Member of Pakistan Endocrine Society.

"We are thrilled to offer this certification course to Pakistani Physicians. This course is tailored to a Pakistani patient's unique profile and is continuously reviewed and quality controlled by top experts from the UK. With the help of this carefully curated curriculum, Pakistani physicians would be even more confident in managing the diabetes of their patients."

Dr. Kieran Walsh

Clinical director - BMJ Learning and Quality BMJ, UK

Dr Kieran Walsh is Clinical Director at BMJ. He is the clinical lead of the medical education and clinical decision support products at BMJ. He has a vast amount of experience in online medical education, clinical decision support, face to face delivery of medical education, and both summative and formative assessment. He has published over 200 papers in the biomedical literature and has written four books: the first and only book on cost effectiveness in medical education; a dictionary of quotations in medical education; a history of medical education in 100 images; and the Oxford Textbook of Medical Education. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Educators, and Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University. In the past he has worked as a hospital doctor specialising in General Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine.

Dr Aisha Sheikh

The prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus is increasing at an alarming pace globally. According to the recent International Diabetes Federation atlas (2019), Pakistan has an estimated 19.4 million people with Diabetes and stands at the fourth position in the world. To reduce the burden of complications of Diabetes, the physicians have to be well-equipped with the knowledge and training to manage this chronic condition effectively. Keeping this in mind we are offering this six-month certification course in Diabetes which has flexible online learning modules that will suit your busy clinical practices. In addition, practical training sessions will further enhance your clinical skills. This course is developed in lieu with Pakistani cultural and social practices and is peer-reviewed and quality controlled by top experts from British Medical Journal, UK. This course promises to provide you evidence-based, updated knowledge and confidence to manage your patients with diabetes.