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Diabetes Mobile Unit, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain

The Diabetes Mobile Unit (DMU) programme aims to advance public health promotion in Bahrain through multisectoral collaboration, integrating education, research, and community engagement. The DMU programme fosters sustainable educational and research initiatives to prepare nursing and medical students as future health promotion leaders. Its mission is to empower children, families, and communities to enhance health literacy, adopt healthy lifestyles to reduce the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and support effective diabetes self-care management. Through these efforts, the programme strives to create a lasting impact on the community’s health and well-being.

The DMU initiative addresses urgent community health concerns, particularly the growing rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes among children and adults in Bahrain. In early childhood, being overweight and obese significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is becoming more common in younger populations.

In addition to prevention, the programme supports diabetes self-care management by equipping individuals and families with the knowledge and skills to manage the condition effectively and improve quality of life.

“As a university deeply committed to shaping a more sustainable and equitable future for all, we are very grateful to the Talloires Network of Engaged Universities and the MacJannet Foundation for awarding an Honorary Mention to the Diabetes Mobile Unit. As a collaboration between the Bahrain Diabetes Society, the Rotary Club of Manama, and RCSI Medical University of Bahrain with the support of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Heath, the Diabetes Mobile Unit is a prime example of successful partnership between public and private institutions in tackling a global health challenge such as Diabetes Type 2 at community level. We look forward to expanding this community programme further and empowering more families in the Kingdom of Bahrain with the knowledge to manage their health outcomes.”

– Professor Kathryn Strachan, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery and Community Engagement Pillar Lead

World Diabetes Day-Public Event-Healthy Plate Activity

The DMU programme was established in 2012 as a joint initiative between the Bahrain Diabetes Society (BDS) and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) Medical University of Bahrain and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Manama. The School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONM) at RCSI Bahrain developed the educational programme for the DMU, which was approved by the Higher Education Council (HEC). The programme is coordinated by the Community Outreach Services and implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Bahrain.

The programme aligns with RCSI’s three strategic pillars: learning and teaching, research, and community engagement and service.

Its primary aims are to:

  • Develop a sustainable programme that prepares nursing and medical students to become leaders in health promotion, enabling them to educate schoolchildren and the public on healthy lifestyle choices and behaviour modification.
  • Advance public health knowledge through research and inform communities about the best practices in preventing and managing obesity and diabetes.
  • Empower children, families, and communities to enhance health literacy, promote healthy lifestyles, reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes, and support effective diabetes self-care management.

The programme incorporates strategies to promote interprofessional learning among staff, students, and alumni. It is embedded in the undergraduate curricula of the School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONM) and the School of Medicine (SOM), ensuring long-term sustainability. In addition, the DMU team collaborates with other RCSI departments, including Careers, Alumni and Community Outreach, the Culture and Language Unit, the Centre for Student Success, Student Services, Marketing and Communication, Estates and Services, Academic Operations and Information Technology, whose support is vital to its success.

The DMU programme engages nursing and medical students in hands-on public health education and research. Through the Student Engagement and Partnership (StEP) initiative, students and alumni take on key roles in school outreach, peer mentorship, and developing innovative educational materials. These experiences build confidence, communication, and teamwork skills while contributing to the programme’s growth. Students also participate in national health campaigns, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and gain valuable networking opportunities. This transformative engagement strengthens their professional commitment and prepares them to become future leaders in healthcare and public health advocacy.

The programme identifies schools as key intervention points and delivers a structured, interactive programme to Grade 3 students, focusing on nutrition, physical activity, sleep hygiene, and healthy lifestyle habits. Using evidence-informed resources, including a bilingual storybook, educational games, songs and activities endorsed by Bahrain’s MOE, the initiative fosters early school health literacy. In addition, the DMU team collaborates with stakeholders to lead national health campaigns, support diabetes camps, and deliver self-care management of diabetes workshops.

Over the last 10 years, the DMU initiative has reached over 7,000 schoolchildren. It has continued participating in annual public health campaigns and camps for children with type 1 diabetes. Its public events consistently attract thousands of participants nationwide, extending its community outreach and impact. With the involvement of over 300 university students and staff, the programme also provides students with valuable hands-on experience in health education and diabetes self-care. In 2024, the programme was awarded First Place for Best Bahraini Voluntary Project at the 14th HH Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa Award.

The DMU initiative contributes to several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

  • SDG 3: Promoting good health and well-being
  • SDG 4: Advancing quality education
  • SDG 17: Strengthening multisectoral partnerships and civic engagement to achieve goals

Diabetes Mobile Unit School Visit-Food Portions Song

RCSI Bahrain’s broader contributions were recognised with the WHO EMRO (Eastern Mediterranean Region Office) Health-Promoting University Certification in February 2023, further reinforcing our commitment to the UNSDGs.

As the programme evolves, the DMU aims to expand its research into early childhood health education, digitalise its resources to enhance accessibility for schools and families and contribute to shaping school health policies that promote healthy behaviours and supportive environments for children.

This innovative initiative exemplifies the role of higher education in advancing multisectoral collaboration by integrating education, research, and community engagement to foster sustainable improvements in public health and well-being.

Useful Links:

Learn More about the DMU programme on their Website: https://www.rcsi.com/bahrain/community/diabetes-mobile-unit

Follow the DMU on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dmu.bh/