NEWS

Ethnicity-specific BMI cut offs for obesity based on type 2 diabetes risk in England: a population-based cohort study. Lancet DE

Read paper here

Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

Leicester Tigers launch programme to get more Asian women into rugby

Leicester Tigers are launching a new programme to encourage more Asian women into rugby union. Premiership Rugby has announced that additional investment is going to be made in its ground-breaking Project Rugby programme to improve the diversity of women and girls playing the sport regularly.

Leicester Tigers are launching a new programme to encourage more Asian women into rugby union. Premiership Rugby has announced that additional investment is going to be made in its ground-breaking Project Rugby programme to improve the diversity of women and girls playing the sport regularly.

If you would like to get involved, email Amanda.Jones@tigers.co.uk

View poster for further information

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Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

Could high heat cooking and food processing promoting neo-formed contaminants partially explain the high prevalence of chronic kidney disease in South Asian populations? A hypothesis

Could high heat cooking and food processing promoting neo-formed contaminants partially explain the high prevalence of chronic kidney disease in South Asian populations? A hypothesis

Krishan P, Bhopal R et al

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Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

Patient Advisory Panel - British Society for Heart Failure

Are you passionate about using your skills & experience to give back to a worthy cause?
The British Society for Heart Failure (BSH) - the professional association of specialists in heart failure care – is recruiting a small team of Expert Patient Advisers to join a newly created Patient Advisory Panel working towards better knowledge and recognition of heart failure to improve quality of life for those with the condition.

Please find further information here and job description

Are you passionate about using your skills & experience to give back to a worthy cause?
The British Society for Heart Failure (BSH) - the professional association of specialists in heart failure care – is recruiting a small team of Expert Patient Advisers to join a newly created Patient Advisory Panel working towards better knowledge and recognition of heart failure to improve quality of life for those with the condition.

Please find further information here and job description

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Michael Bonar Michael Bonar

SAHF Seminar Mental Health in Times of COVID now available to view

The event was chaired by Kiran Sehmi, with guest presentations from Anita Solanki and Sally Burns, we explored the challenges faced by local mental health teams and how we can address mental health inequalities.

The event was chaired by Kiran Sehmi, with guest presentations from Anita Solanki and Sally Burns, we explored the challenges faced by local mental health teams and how we can address mental health inequalities.

It also featured presentations from our SAHF fellows including our recent work on producing infographics to aid the COVID-19 crisis in India.

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Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

Pharmacological management of South Asians with type 2 diabetes: Consensus recommendations from the South Asian Health Foundation

South Asians constitute approximately 1.6 billion people from the Indian subcontinent, comprising Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; and make up the largest diaspora globally. Compared to the White European population, this group is at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes along with cardiovascular, renal and eye complications.

Over the recent years, a number of new therapies for type 2 diabetes have become available for which cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) have been published. The recent ADA/EASD consensus guidelines on diabetes, pre- diabetes and cardiovascular diseases’ offer a transitional shift in type 2 diabetes management. The new consensus recommendations are based on recent CVOTs, many of which had a representation of South Asian cohorts. In light of thisnew evidence, there is urgent need for an integrated, evidence- based, cost- effective andindividualised approach specific for South Asians. This review takes into consideration the evidence from these CVOTs and provides best practice recommendations for opti-mal management of South Asian people with type 2 diabetes, alongside the previously published consensus report from South Asian Health Foundation in 2014 [1]

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Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

SAHF UK-India COVID-19 webinars

This is a series of UK-India COVID-19 webinars from the South Asia Health Foundation and the Academic Health Science Network (AHSN Network), sharing our experiences of COVID-19.

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This is a series of UK-India COVID-19 webinars from the South Asia Health Foundation and the Academic Health Science Network (AHSN Network), sharing our experiences of COVID-19.


The South Asian Health Foundation has teamed up with the AHSN Network and Learn With Nurses to host a series of webinars to support learning and exchange opportunities with clinicians from the UK and India on COVID-19.

The second webinar in the series will be held on Friday 7 May at 4pm UK / 8.30pm India Standard Time, sharing ​NHS experiences of COVID-19 specifically regarding hospital and ICU management of Covid-19 with health and care professionals in other countries.

  • Hospital therapies for COVID-19

  • Glycaemic management 

  • ICU management 

  • Anticoagulation therapy 

  • Question and answer session

You can find out more details and register here.

The webinar series will run through May, with potential topics including hospital logistics, mental wellbeing and support for healthcare staff, and the prevention and early management of COVID-19.

Dates and times are still being confirmed – please check back on this page for more details.

If the Zoom webinar has reached capacity, you can also watch a livestream of the webinar on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/c/AHSNNetwork/live


Video for Webinar 1: COVID Remote Monitoring and Management at Home

 

Video for Webinar 2: Hospital and ICU management of COVID-19

 

Video for Webinar 3: Hospitals – Managing COVID-19: Logistics and Operations

 

Video for Webinar 4: Prevention, diagnosis and early management of COVID-19

 
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Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

SAHF 10 Point Plan to Support COVID-19 Crisis in India

South Asian Health Foundation launches a call to action the Covid India Crisis and a step change in collaboration to build on the excellent global effort during the pandemic to date.

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South Asian Health Foundation launches a call to action the Covid India Crisis and a step change in collaboration to build on the excellent global effort during the pandemic to date.

View the 10 point plan here

“Prof Wasim Hanif Trustee of SAHF who is originally from Hyderabad commended the announcement from Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Mr YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to offer free treatment to all COVID patients in both Government and Private hospitals. This is need of the hour and will help to alleviate the sufferings of millions of people in this time of national emergency. He urged other states to implement the same”

If you’d like to support the effort in India please give generously to these organisations:

Indian Red Cross Society  

British Asian Trust


Covid-19: Countries rally to support India through “storm that has shaken the nation”

From BMJ

Over the last 18 months, images and data from China, Italy, UK, Brazil and now India, bring home the disaster which COVID-19 confers upon individuals and their fragile health systems. Currently India has the unenviable position of leading global COVID-19 numbers with over 17 million COVID-19 cases as of April 28th 2021, 195,000 deaths and over 300,000 new cases daily(1), which is likely to be a significant underestimate. So, as the world’s largest democracy fights and mourns in tandem, what more can be done to add to the global effort to date?

Health and politics are inextricably linked, no more so than at the time of an election. As India goes to elections, the election commission must consider postponement. India invoked an exemplary lockdown during the initial wave of COVID-19 and it is perhaps now a time to consider whether the benefits of a lockdown outweigh the benefits of an immediate election. Mass gatherings need to stop urgently. The Government has already called for support internationally. A number of countries including Germany and the UK have responded with oxygen concentrators and ventilators for immediate need. Further needs will emerge, and the scale of need is almost immeasurable in a country where many citizens living below the poverty line are unlikely to seek a test for COVID-19, let alone seek healthcare. The basics of public health advice and public adherence thereof are critically important to address, control and lower the R rate, as shown by other countries. Further needs assessment for acute care in hospitals and management in the community should be followed by ongoing monitoring to guide recovery from the pandemic. Perhaps it is now time to reprioritize India’s commitment on the road to universal healthcare through Ayushman Bharat(3), during and after the pandemic and also reinvigorate its public health spending. However, public health principles of strict lockdown and adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions are paramount, reinforcing the importance of social distancing, masks and washing hands. To drive equity, care must be based upon need and not ability to pay. 

Today, India has to not only fight the acute challenges of this wave of COVID-19 but prepare for the huge challenge of indirect effects of covid-19 on morbidity and mortality which will inevitably follow. To fight this acute challenge, not only is oxygen and ventilatory support critical, but so is governed access to healthcare.

Firstly, criteria-based access to the hospital and intensive care beds is essential to make best use of limited resources. Standardized protocols for access and step down to the most valuable resource of an ITU bed will enable the best chances of survival to as many as possible. It is time to share and standardize these protocols from across the world, including use of risk prediction models that are likely to benefit people the most.

Secondly, treatment should be evidence based. The evidence for management of people with COVID-19 is being updated at pace with clinical trials and observational studies of high quality demonstrating the most effective treatments at different stages. All patients should benefit from such evidence. 

Thirdly, good governance is essential. Acute hospitalization in India comes at a cost, impoverishing those most vulnerable. The government should rapidly protect its most vulnerable citizens from such impoverishment by guarding against cost inflation of hospital fees and drug costs, while ensuring that supply chains of oxygen, essential drugs and other supplies reach those in need as rapidly as possible. Nodal officers should be appointed in each hospital to monitor beds and billing.

Fourthly, workforce planning should drive us to meet need. Across the globe, the South Asian diaspora is witnessing the desperate struggle. Health systems should consider how to harness diaspora constructively. Systems must balance the forces of economic workforce migration with the needs of health systems. Is it time for a global workforce concordat which meets the needs and rights of individuals as well as health systems?

Fifthly, we should empower patients across the globe to preserve their own health by utilizing all means of trusted communication to minimize mistrust in medical information. Furthermore, optimal management of non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, is likely to have significant impact in reducing morbidity and mortality both during and after the pandemic. Inequitable outcomes from COVID-19 have mostly been driven by wider determinants of health which culminate in increased exposure to COVID-19 and poorer outcomes due to the impact of comorbidities. It is time to redress the balance by now planning to address global health inequity by committing to coordinated action against non-communicable diseases which will kill those most vulnerable across the globe as the world recovers from the economic and structural devastation which the pandemic leaves behind. Total indirect deaths related to COVID-19 due to disruptions in care, access to care and poverty are likely to kill more patients that the pandemic itself. Is it time for a global drug fund to optimize population health outcomes from conditions such as diabetes in parallel with high level strategies on prevention and screening?

Finally, social media in the medical community has been used to incredible effect during the pandemic and we must make every effort to utilize such communication to rapidly share evidence, guidelines and protocols across the globe. Publishers do that well and independently. Is it time for a global editorial collaborative to provide open access and oversight of science to ensure that highest quality science drives decision making for every patient? 

Whilst history tells us that action and inaction has resulted in global inequity and iniquity, it is now time to define which actions and inactions we prioritise to drive equity and prosperity during and following the pandemic, which we do in a 10-point list of recommendations.

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Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

SANSAR/Burgundy Young Investigator Award

The SANSAR-Burgundy Young Investigator Award provides recognition and support to an outstanding young investigator whose research activities are focused on the health of South Asians.

The SANSAR-Burgundy Young Investigator Award provides recognition and support to an outstanding young investigator whose research activities are focused on the health of South Asians.

For further information please visit: http://sansar.org/what-we-do/young-investigator-award

2021 Award Guidelines

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Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

Professor Partha Kar awarded an OBE

The NHS England National Specialty Advisor with has been awarded the for services to people with diabetes.

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Professor Partha Kar has been awarded an OBE for services to people with diabetes in the New Year’s Honours list.

Professor Kar, a National Specialty Advisor, Diabetes with NHS England and co-lead of Diabetes GIRFT with NHS Improvement, said the accolade represented a huge honour.

Speaking to the Portsmouth-based The News, he said:

“I really didn’t expect to get a letter like this. From being born in Dudley to moving to India as a child, then settling back in the UK, I never imagined I would receive an honour as prestigious as this. I would like to thank everyone at QA Hospital, as they have helped me throughout my career, and my family of their support.”

When speaking to the South Asian Health Foundation:

"An unexpected yet pleasant surprise- the significance for which perhaps even more relevant due to the joy it has brought to my parents in these difficult times. "Standing on the shoulder of giants" is a term commonly used yet hugely apt when one thinks of individuals like Kamlesh and Wasim whose work in SAHF have been inspiring and one to emulate. The kind words from SAHF has meant a lot- and is always nice to be appreciated by your peers"

In his national role, Professor Kar has led and delivered on:

  • Freestyle Libre being available on NHS

  • NHS Right Care Diabetes pathway

  • Diabetes ‘Language Matters’ document

  • Type 1 diabetes NHS England web-resource – on NHS choices

  • Introduction of frailty into QoF treatment targets for diabetes care in NHS

  • Availability of CGM to all pregnant people with diabetes

  • Diabetes Technology pathway development with multiple stakeholders

  • Setting up pilot projects for diabulimia treatment in London and Wessex

  • Introduction of Low Carbohydrate App into NHS Apps Library

Other work has involved input into updating driving guidelines in relation to use of technology in those living with diabetes, helping to develop a virtual reality programme to improve hospital safety and starting work on increased mental health access for people with diabetes across the NHS.

Professor Partha Kar has been a Consultant in Diabetes & Endocrinology at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust since 2008. He was the Clinical Director of Diabetes from 2009 to 2015, being part of a multiple national award-winning department due to its services and care provided. He is the pioneer of the Super Six Diabetes Model, which aims to deliver diabetes care differently and is recognised as one of the good examples of integrated care.

He is also a Professor at the University of Leicester working with the Leicester Diabetes Centre.

Professor Kar is also an avid user of social media (@parthaskar) to engage with people with diabetes, recognised as a ‘Social media Pioneer’ by HSJ in 2014.

Copy kindly reproduced from Diabetes Times

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Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

PRINCIPLE Trial Oxford

We are delighted to see our SAHF senior member Professor Mahendra Patel joining the team at PRINCIPLE as National Pharmacy Lead.

We are delighted to see our SAHF senior member Professor Mahendra Patel joining the team at PRINCIPLE as National Pharmacy Lead. 

SAHF are committed to helping reduce health inequalities within the SA communities. These communities have typically higher levels of cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes compared to the larger majority population and are also disproportionately affected by COVID-19.  It is therefore important we reach out to these communities as much as possible in helping to raise awareness regarding this urgent and national public health trial for the treatment of coronavirus symptoms and prevent potential admission to hospital. 

Please see website below for further details:

https://www.phc.ox.ac.uk/news/principle-trial-to-strengthen-black-asian-and-minority-ethnic-community-participation

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Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

Organ Donation and Religious Beliefs

Organ donation is the gift of an organ to help someone who needs a transplant. Thousands of people’s lives across the UK are saved or improved each year by organ transplants.

Organ donation is the gift of an organ to help someone who needs a transplant. Thousands of people’s lives across the UK are saved or improved each year by organ transplants. But every day across the UK someone dies waiting for an organ transplant.

Organs that can be donated by people who have died include the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas and small bowel. Tissue such as skin, bone, heart valves and corneas can also be used to help others. Living donation of a single kidney or part of a liver is also possible.

Download the guide to organ donation and Hindu beliefs

Additional information about organ donation and Hindu beliefs is available to download below:

Download the leaflet

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Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

Research on South Asian women’s experience of cultural difference when having had therapy

Would you be interested in taking part in research about Experience of Cultural Difference When Having Had Psychological Therapy?

Would you be interested in taking part in research about Experience of Cultural Difference When Having Had Psychological Therapy?

For further details please see flyer or contact Charanjot Kaur Jheeta

Researcher Name: Charanjot Kaur Jheeta

Email Address: charanjot.jheeta@metanoia.ac.uk

Contact Number: 07494 947 048

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Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

Patient Involvement Opportunity at British Heart Foundation

Want to use your experiences of heart or circulatory conditions, including stroke, diabetes and vascular dementia?

Want to use your experiences of heart or circulatory conditions, including stroke, diabetes and vascular dementia? Help inform research at the British Heart Foundation, by joining their Patient Advisory Group. The Patient Advisory Group provides a vital patient perspective to ensure that BHF’s clinical research responds to the needs and views of people affected by heart or circulatory conditions. If you’ve been affected by a heart or circulatory condition, then you are the experts we’re looking for.

In 2017, the BHF recruited people affected by heart and circulatory conditions to ensure the clinical research applications they fund are important and relevant to the needs of patients. The BHF are now looking for more members to join the Patient Advisory Group to broaden the experiences and perspectives of the group, and to ensure they’re representing the wider population of people affected by heart and circulatory conditions. 

The BHF understands the importance of diversity and inclusivity and is committed to increasing diversity across its Patient Advisory Groups. They encourage applications from all backgrounds, but in particular, they would welcome those from young people and from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. 

What will I be doing?

  • Attending at least 2 PAG meetings a year, contributing thoughtfully and constructively to discussions from the perspective of a patient with a heart or circulatory condition

  • Assessing the importance of the research question to people affected by heart or circulatory conditions, and whether it meets a real patient need

  • Reviewing the quality of plain English Summaries – an overview of the research in plain English

  • Identifying any barriers to patients taking part in the research

  • Ensuring researchers are involving patients throughout their research project

If you are interested in the role but are unable to commit to daytime meetings, please do get in touch to discuss about alternative ways of getting involved.

How do I get involved?

To find out more click on this link https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/heart-voices/involvement-noticeboard/help-us-award-clinical-research-funding. To get involved, please read the role profile and complete the expression of interest form, and send it to heartvoices@bhf.org.uk by Monday 2nd December 2019.

You do not need to have a scientific background or any prior scientific knowledge – all we ask is that you have a keen interest in the research BHF funds. We will provide you with full training and support to ensure you are fully prepared to take on the role.

Very much looking forward to hearing from you. If you have any questions or would like any further information, email heartvoices@bhf.org.uk or call 0207 554 0394.

Please see Expression of Interest form and Role Profile below:

PAG Expression of Interest form

Role Profile

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Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

Medical Professional of the Year: Professor Paramjit Gill (University of Warwick)

Congratulations to Professor Paramjit Gill for being awarded ‘Medical Professional of the Year’ at the British Asian Awards, July 2019.

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Congratulations to Paramjit for being awarded ‘Medical Professional of the Year’ at the British Asian Awards, July 2019.

Commenting on being awarded as Medical Professional of the Year, Professor Paramjit Gill said:

"I feel lucky and privileged to help patients and work in organisations where it is a joy to help many amazing colleagues do amazing work every day."

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Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

DaR App: Patient Education Program

DaR App is a patient education program, developed by Diabetes and Ramadan Alliance, a group of international experts focusing on supporting Muslim Diabetes patients fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

DaR App is a patient education program, developed by Diabetes and Ramadan Alliance, a group of international experts focusing on supporting Muslim Diabetes patients fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

Frequently asked questions regarding diabetes and Ramadan, Ramadan Nutrition Plan, videos which contains doctors’ tips about diabetes and Ramadan, Dishes for Ramadan with ingredients and calories.

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Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

Research Participants Needed: Asian Males' Experience of Mental Health

This research study aims to look into mental health experiences in Asian Males. There will be a focus on different influences that have an impact on these experiences such as cultural and family influences.

Research Participants Needed: Asian Males' Experience of Mental Health

This research study aims to look into mental health experiences in Asian Males. There will be a focus on different influences that have an impact on these experiences such as cultural and family influences.

To take part please contact Kieran Boparai at kieran.boparai@mail.bcu.ac.uk

Access to the study please click on the following link:

https://blss.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3KPnBTbNB6EUrrf

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Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

Easy and free fundraising for SAHF

Register on the following website and choose South Asian Health Foundation and each time you make a purchase on Amazon.

Register on the following website and choose South Asian Health Foundation and each time you make a purchase on Amazon and various other online stores, simply click on Give as you Live and South Asian Health Foundation will receive a % of the cost without a cost to the shopper.

https://www.giveasyoulive.com/

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Rajvinder Gill Rajvinder Gill

Why I now Carry a Donor Card – by Jaya Patel

Jaya Patel first became an organ donor 6 months ago, when applying for his provisional driving licence.

I first became an organ donor 6 months ago, when applying for my provisional driving licence. It had been something I had considered for a while, but didn’t feel informed enough to make the decision, as well as not being sure about whether I was actually old enough to make this decision, I wasn’t sure how my parents and wider family would respond, due to cultural and religious reasons. 

I personally believe that being an organ donor is hugely important as this decision, whilst not affecting my life, could change the lives of many more people. I believe that this is a huge privilege, as ultimately, by the time I have reached the stage where organ donation should be considered, nothing more can be done for me, but I could change and save so many more lives. 

There is lots of stigma around the issue of organ donation particularly in Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, which is founded upon cultural and religious traditions. This is one of the main reasons why there is a lack of BAME organ donation. I believe that many people of this demographic would consider organ donation, particularly those making up the younger demographic, as within this group, although there is huge stigma around organ donation,  I believe that with discussion as well as better education and communication, many more people of BAME backgrounds would consider becoming organ donors. 

In conclusion, I personally became an organ donor because of all the lives I could change or save, and something good could come out of what may be an upsetting event. It would also provide a source of comfort for my family, in what would be a distressing time. 

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