Students from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) have launched an awareness campaign on autoimmune diseases at the Al Liwan under the theme "Fight Autoimmune Diseases with Us." This initiative is part of the college's ongoing efforts to enhance community health awareness, aiming to increase understanding of these types of diseases and their impacts on public health.

The campaign, attended by Dr Lulwa Rashid Showaiter, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, included a series of informational stations about the nature of autoimmune diseases, managed by students in collaboration with several specialised doctors in the field. The stations covered the causes of these diseases, their symptoms, and prevention methods, while also highlighting the latest treatments available for autoimmune diseases.

Dr Aseel Al Saleh, Dean of Student Affairs at AGU, stressed the importance of such campaigns in enhancing health knowledge among community members. She pointed out that autoimmune diseases pose significant health challenges in the region, necessitating collective efforts for awareness and prevention. She confirmed that AGU students are working through this campaign to increase public awareness of these diseases, particularly in the Gulf region, where there is a rising incidence of certain autoimmune conditions. The campaign also aims to provide valuable information on how to diagnose these diseases at early stages, significantly improving treatment outcomes.

“Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells and tissues, leading to inflammation and damage to various organs. Some prominent autoimmune diseases include lupus, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, Crohn's disease, and many others classified as autoimmune disorders,” she stated. 

Studies indicate that the exact causes of these diseases remain largely unclear, but a combination of genetic and environmental factors is believed to contribute to their onset. Treatment often involves the use of immunosuppressive medications, along with supportive therapies to alleviate symptoms.

Noora Al Hadi, chair of the student committee organising the campaign and a medical student at AGU, stated, "As medical students at AGU, we believe in the importance of our role in raising community awareness about autoimmune diseases, which may initially be invisible but can have serious consequences if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. Through this campaign, we strive to shed light on these diseases and emphasise the importance of early prevention and treatment to enhance health awareness in the community."

The campaign witnessed significant participation from students, faculty members, and visitors to the Al Liwan, who expressed their appreciation for the university's initiative in promoting health awareness. They underscored the importance of continuing to organise such health events that effectively and engagingly contribute to enhancing community health.