Harvard affiliates join in establishing a comprehensive program for diabetes care, management and research
BOSTON, Mass. – May 5, 2010 – Joslin Diabetes Center has signed a pre-implementation agreement with the Dasman Institute for the Research, Training and Prevention of Diabetes and Related Disorders for establishing a comprehensive program for diabetes care, management and research across Kuwait. The parties, already working on needs assessment and planning for the program, expect to execute a five-year agreement in September.
The move follows up on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that the Dasman Institute signed in March with several affiliates of the Harvard Medical School, including Joslin, the Shapiro Institute for Education and Research, and Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
“2010 presents Kuwait with a unique opportunity,” said Dr. Kazem Behbehani, Director General of the Dasman Institute. “While the scourge of chronic disease is on the rise, including high rates of diabetes in an ever-younger age group, the Dasman Institute is ushering in a new era of open, interactive collaboration with the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science, the Ministry of Health and the Faculties of Health Sciences at Kuwait University. We look forward to working collaboratively with our partners at Joslin and other Harvard affiliates, with their unsurpassed medical expertise.”
“Joslin and the other Harvard affiliates are teaming up with the Dasman Institute to build a landmark partnership of equals, with effective joint governance and fiscal transparency,” said Dr. Kenneth E. Quickel, Jr., M.D., Joslin president and chief executive officer.
"The autonomous Dasman Institute, as structured in collaboration with the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science and the Kuwait University Faculties of Health Sciences, provides Kuwait and the region as well as the United States with a unique and powerful vehicle for joint learning and innovation,” noted Antoine Kaldany, M.D., Director of International Programs at Joslin. “This was recently underscored by Dr. Elias Zerhouni, the former head of the National Institutes of Health, when he visited Kuwait.”
“Tapping Joslin’s leadership in diabetes research and care, together we will build a customized, robust, state-of-the-art interactive platform for collaboration and transfer of critical know-how,” said Judy Goodwin, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Joslin.
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The vision of the Dasman Institute for the Research, Training and Prevention of Diabetes and Related Disorders is to be one of the leading comprehensive research and treatment facilities in its field and to contribute to the improvement of the health of future generations in Kuwait and the Middle East as a whole. The Institute will achieve its vision by conducting research into the field of diabetes to find better treatment modalities and possible solutions to slow down the spread of the disease in Kuwait and in the Middle East. In addition, by spreading awareness about diabetes within the community, the Institute will encourage early diagnosis or prevention of the disease. The Institute also will provide specialized training opportunities for health professionals treating people with diabetes.