Volunteers from IFMSA CZ Brno transformed the Brno shopping center Olympia into an improvised clinic over the weekend of November 15-16. On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, they offered passers-by a moment to pause, free examinations, and important education on preventing lifestyle diseases.
This year's edition was held in the spirit of the campaign "World Diabetes Day or 10,000 Steps in Diabetes Prevention". This global day was proclaimed by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as early as 1991 in response to growing concerns about the increasing health threat posed by diabetes. November is traditionally the month when we remind ourselves of the risks of type 2 diabetes and, above all, how it can be effectively prevented.
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most widespread chronic diseases of our time – in the Czech Republic, it affects over 9% of the population, and it is estimated that another 5% of people are unaware of their condition. Early detection of prediabetes through a simple blood glucose measurement can prevent serious health complications. It's no surprise, then, that this station was among the most visited, just like in previous years.
Public interest exceeded expectations – over 1,200 visitors took advantage of blood pressure and BMI measurements, taking home not only their results but also practical recommendations for lifestyle adjustments.
A novelty of this year's edition was the collaboration with psychology students, whose station focused on mental health and received exceptionally positive feedback. Future dentists, nutritional therapists, physiotherapists, and embryologists also participated in the event. The program thus covered a wide spectrum of activities: from the basics of first aid, proper hand hygiene, oral and dental care, or self-examination of breasts and testicles, to raising awareness about reproductive health and modern methods of assisted reproduction. As every year, the organizers didn't forget the little ones – the popular Teddy Bear Hospital introduced children to health education in a playful way.
The event was supported by the Dean of LF MU, Prof. MUDr. Martin Repko, Ph.D., the Rector of MU, Prof. MUDr. Martin Bareš, Ph.D., the Head of the 2nd Internal Medicine Clinic at St. Anne's University Hospital, Prof. MUDr. Bohuslav Kianička, Ph.D., the Mayor of Brno, JUDr. Markéta Vaňková, and the Governor of the South Moravian Region, Mgr. Jan Grolich.
This event is held annually under the guidance of students from the Faculty of Medicine at Masaryk University, united in the international association IFMSA (International Federation of Medical Students' Associations; Mezinárodní federace asociací studentů medicíny). The oldest documented mentions of similar activities in the Czech Republic date back to 2013, when IFMSA CZ first collaborated on International Diabetes Day, and to 2015 for World Health Day (the spring counterpart to this event). Since then, the projects have been continuously innovating – thanks to advanced technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration across LF MU study programs, and creative approaches, public interest is growing. Students are thus bringing prevention directly into everyday life, such as into shopping centers where people usually focus on the hustle – and in doing so, they inspire small changes that can transform lives.
They deserve our huge thanks, and we look forward to seeing you at the next edition of the event!
After a year-long reconstruction, Masaryk University has received final approval for Pavilion C03 of the Faculty of Medicine – a new GMP facility for the future development of gene and cell therapies within the CREATIC Centre of Excellence.
