Glucerna Challenge Me program- Week 1

Diabetes Malaysia Cawangan Negeri Terengganu had made a joint program with Abbott Nutrition on the need to continually educate diabetes patients on proper eating and exercise with the hope the patients will get reduction in their weight and hbA1C. This planning was done in June 2014 after DM agreed to participate in this program. We were told Abbott had launched this program in the Philippines in 2013 and it was proved successful to bring down the excess weight and reduction in hbA1c  among diabetics. So the success in a neighboring country gives inspiration to Abbott to repeat the same  in Malaysia this year.

The program was conducted in a three series: 23 August; 27 Sept and 1 Nov 2014. This program were also conducted in other 4 participating DM branches in Kedah (2), Selangor (1) and Johor (1).

For Terengganu, it was held at Batu Buruk Beach Resort, Kuala Terengganu with  more than 50 participants.

The program started with health screening by paramedics (taking blood sample for hbA1c, glucose test, blood pressure, and BMI); breakfast, counselling by diabetes educators, lecture on proper eating and diet by a dietitian; lecture on exercise by a physioterapist and of course, lecture on-line support program by Abbott. The on-line support is very useful as it gives a lot of information and advice with regard to food and calorie, types of exercise etc.

The program for week 1 started at 8.00 am and end up at 1.30 pm, although the original time schedule to end at 12.30 pm. The health screening took a lot time due to large number of participants queuing for the service.

Mr Shafiq briefed the participants.

Measuring blood pressure in progress

Measuring height, weight to calculate the BMI

Queuing for hbA1C  test

Registration

Participants were given green tags for grouping

Participants listening to lectures

Counselling is in progress

Counselling by diabetes educator

Enjoying me soup and  coffee during tea break

Dietitian giving lecture on Healthy Eating

Physioterapist giving ideas on types of exercise

Staff from Abbott

Some kueh

Tea break for the participants after counselling 

At the end of the session, a lucky draw was conducted and three small prizes were given to the 3 lucky winners. All participants who remain in the hall until the end of the program get a goody bag from Abbott Nutrition.

Meanwhile, some participants were seen busy purchasing Glucerna Milk at a discounted price.

We wish to thank all participants (mostly in their 50's ) who came from all over the Terengganu State especially from Hulu Terengganu, Besut and Marang. We also wish to record our appreciation to Abbott Nutrition and Ultra Works staff, Diabetes Educators, Dietitian (Ms Nurul), physio (Mr Amirul), all DM committee members and other DM members who helped in making this program Glucerna Challenge Me week 1 a success. Next move is to ensure all participants come again on 27th September for monitoring blood glucose, weight, listening to lectures and counselling.