Dubai:The Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences organized a training workshop titled 'Nutritional Management of Phenylketonuria (PKU)' at its headquarters in Dubai. The event aimed to enhance the scientific knowledge and practical skills of healthcare professionals in managing inherited metabolic disorders.
According to Emirates News Agency, the workshop was accredited by the Dubai Health Authority for three Continuing Professional Development hours, underscoring its commitment to ongoing professional education and improving healthcare practitioners' competencies.
Dr. Hanadi Algabeesh, a Senior Clinical Dietitian at Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital, led the workshop, which covered both scientific and practical aspects of phenylketonuria management. This condition, if not properly managed, can lead to harmful neurological and health issues due to elevated phenylalanine levels in the blood.
The workshop detailed the essential principles of nutritional management for PKU, focusing on dietary plan development and meal planning for various age groups. It also explored specific nutritional needs for children, adolescents, and pregnant women, along with recent treatment advancements.
Participants engaged in practical exercises, including case studies, meal planning, food-label reading, and nutritional requirement estimation, to enhance their ability to provide suitable nutritional care for patients. Dr. Salama Al Muhairi, Director of the Medical Excellence Department at the Foundation, emphasized the workshop's role in facilitating professional education and knowledge exchange.
The event also tackled practical challenges faced by healthcare professionals in managing PKU and discussed effective strategies for patient and family nutrition education and support. It highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure continuous care and achieve optimal health outcomes.