Ajman University Student Conducts Unique Research on Diabetes

Monday, Feb 10, 2014
Ajman University Student Conducts Unique Research on Diabetes

As a student of the master’s program in clinical pharmacy at the college of Pharmacy & Health Sciences in Ajman University, Aala Farajallah had always a keen eye for scientific research. Her most recent research, which deals with the importance of the Ghrelin hormone in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes, is a first of its kind in the UAE.

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the world, holding the fourth place in terms of the highest mortality rate in developed countries (2011). In the UAE, 1 out of every 5 persons between the ages of 20 and 79 suffers from diabetes, and in the same proportion 1 out of every 5 is at a risk of developing this malady.

The 2011 statistics show that the UAE occupies the 10th position globally in diabetes rate. Diabetes is now the most common disease in the UAE and has become a major public health concern for local authorities.

Dr. Aala’s research is centered around the relationship between the enzymes secreted by the stomach and type 2 diabetes. With the aim of reaching a conceivable cause and effect relationship, her findings show that diabetes goes hand in hand with low levels of Ghrelin. As such, her theory could assist in efficiently fighting this disease. The results are consistent with the previous scientific studies ever conducted within this regard.

Supervised by Prof. Abdul Azeem, Dr. Aala presented her findings to the Ministry of Health to further conduct and support more scientific researches in this field. Dr. Aala thanked the UAE leadership, under His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whose kindness and support have always propelled his people to achieve more and aim higher.

Dr. Aala Farajallah is a licensed pharmacist by the UAE Ministry of Health, and is the fourth female to hold a license in the healing art of blood cupping or HIjama in Arabic. She pursued her Master’s at the University of Ajman and is conducting researches for the betterment of the society.