HMC continues efforts to raise awareness of Lipedema

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) continues to raise awareness about Lipedema causes, symptoms and the available treatment options to patients and their families.Lipedema is a condition caused by an abnormal buildup of fat in the upper and lower parts of the body but does not cause a fat buildup in the feet or hands. It usually affects women who must live with this chronic disease and manage with treatment throughout life.To highlight this condition, the Physiotherapy Department for Lipedema Patients at HMC, the exclusive facility that provides a specialised treatment for lipedema locally, organised the first awareness programme for patient and family education in lipedema on January 24 at Qatar Rehabilitation Institute with the participation of various departments at HMC to design a treatment and rehabilitation programme for patients with lipedema.The programme was launched by Dr Mohamed Salem al-Hassan, medical director and CEO of the National Centre for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR), chair of the Corporate Cancer Programme in the presence of Dr Hanadi al-Hamad, medical director of Rumailah Hospital and Qatar Rehabilitation Institute and chairperson of Geriatrics and Long Term Care Department and Dr Hareth al-Khater, deputy medical director of Clinical Affairs, senior consultant of Medical Oncology at NCCCR and Noora Rashid al-Mudahka, assistant executive director of physiotherapy at HMC.During the opening ceremony, Dr al-Hassan delivered a speech to welcome patients with lipedema and their families and to express his appreciation to the organisers of this important awareness event. He also thanked lipedema patients and valued their participation in speaking about their experience with the disease and living with it and the challenges they face."The lipedema awareness programme is the first of its kind in Qatar and witnessed a participation of significant healthcare professionals at HMC. The programme provided clear understanding and management of the disease for patients and families through lectures delivered by different department such as vascular surgery, plastic surgery, rehabilitation and nutrition,” said, Mohammad Shafi, head of Lipedema Rehabilitation Department at HMC."The group discussions between patients and healthcare providers and the sharing patients experience with lipedema disease were significant in the programme. We continue to encourage our patients and provide them with the information and support through the programme and our representatives of lipedema patients who act as support groups for other patients with lipedema. Patients will receive an understanding of the conditions and the available treatment options and their benefits which are usually unclear to patient,” Shafi added."Patients with lipedema have many concerns related to diagnosis, treatment and predictions of the disease. The patient awareness is low as the disease is still not properly highlighted.” said, Anita Sondrasikaran, physiotherapist and LANA certified lymphedema therapist."Lipedema is characterised by pain to the affected parts such as touching the affected area, hypersensitivity, easily bruised, the body becomes a barrier and body image for people with lipedema can lead them to becoming insecure which causes functional barriers and reduced social communication and some mental issues,” she added.