We are proud to announce our contribution to a significant international health study conducted in partnership with researchers from Yale University let by Samuel Akyirem a PhD Candidate. This collaborative effort, recently published in the Journal of Nursing Scholarship, focuses on a critical but often overlooked aspect of diabetes care: the stigma associated with the condition.

The study, which explores the intersection of diabetes stigma and health outcomes, acknowledges the vital role played by MMALABS in ensuring the scientific rigor of its findings. We are specifically recognized for our technical expertise in processing the biological samples.

Our team, led by Dr. Evans Kyeremeh at our Kumasi facility, was responsible for the critical task of processing blood samples for HbA1c assessment. HbA1c is a key indicator of long-term blood sugar control, and providing accurate and reliable results was essential for the research team to correlate clinical data with their findings on the psychosocial impact of stigma.

This hands-on contribution from our laboratory directly supported the study's goal to better understand the real-world challenges faced by people living with diabetes. The research explores how stigma can affect mental health, self-care, and, ultimately, clinical outcomes.

This project is a powerful example of how local expertise can support world-class research to create a global impact. By providing essential laboratory services, MMALABS helped bridge the gap between community-level health realities in Ghana and international academic research.

The study was made possible by financial support from Sigma Theta Tau International and the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies. We also extend our gratitude to the dedicated research assistants who worked on the front lines of this project: Dorothy Wilson, David Banahene, Regina Abekah, and Florence Agyapong.

At MMALABS, we are committed to advancing medical knowledge and improving patient care. Our involvement in this study underscores our dedication to providing high-quality laboratory services, not just for routine diagnostics, but as a fundamental pillar of groundbreaking health research. We are thrilled to have played a part in this important work that brings us one step closer to understanding and ending diabetes stigma.

To read more about the study, you can search for its title or the authors in the *Journal of Nursing Scholarship* (DOI: 10.1111/jnu.70073).

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Affiliate offices; Tarkoradi, Sunyani, Tamale
Call: 0501672748