Dedication to Professor. Akhtar Hussain

Professor. Akhtar Hussain MD, MPhil, MPH, PhD, DSc (1955 - 2024) It is with deep grief that I am penning this obituary about our good friend Prof. Akhtar Hussain, President, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Past President, Diabetes in Asia Study Group (DASG) who suddenly passed away on July, 2nd, 2024. Born in Bangladesh in 1955, Prof. Akhtar completed his graduation in Medicine from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh and postgraduation and Doctoral diplomas in Boston, Bergen and Oslo. He had keen interest in Medicine, Epidemiology and Public Health and worked in many countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and America. Having lost his father due to diabetes complications, Akhtar decided to dedicate his career to promote diabetes awareness and care throughout the world. With this noble thought, he actively worked in the field of diabetes for more than 30 years. Prof. Akhtar Hussain was Professor at Nord University (Norway) focusing on diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and previously served as Professor of Global Health at the University of Oslo (2006-17). While in Oslo, he coordinated the collaboration for type 2 diabetes research with 21 academic partners from the Europe, Asia and Africa. He served as an executive member of the Medical Advisory Body of the Norwegian Diabetes Association for 6 years. He was also involved in the program: "Migrants and Diabetes." He was also a part of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh since 1998 and as a founding member of the Global Health Centre for research, he developed the first master's program in diabetes and other NCDs in Asia. He is to be credited for initiating the Primary Diabetes Prevention Programme in Bangladesh and Pakistan and other programs related to type 1 diabetes and gestational diabetes. He played an active role as a founding member and office bearer of Diabetes in Asia Study Group (DASG) and also served as the President of DASG from 2018 to 2020. He was associated with the IDF since 2008 through the Bridges program and served as its Vice-president from 2013-2017. With the motto, "To reconcile and rebuild IDF for the people with diabetes, securing their global voice irrespective of gender, race, religion or geographical location," he became the President of IDF in 2022. He made the voice of the people with diabetes in underprivileged countries to be heard in the international arena by bringing together various member organizations and associations with IDF. He was instrumental in the global expansion of the IDF School of Diabetes facilitating access to diabetes education for healthcare professionals and people with diabetes across the world especially in low- and middle-income countries. Prof. Akhtar Hussain also played a big role in the official Journal of DASG, Journal of Diabetology. He served on the Editorial Advisory Board of JOD since 2017 and has been a pillar of support for the smooth functioning and in improving of the standard of the journal. On behalf of the Editorial Team of the Journal of Diabetology and on my personal behalf, I pay a rich tribute to Prof. Akhtar Hussain for his dedication and service to the needy in the field of diabetes care for three decades and I pray to the Almighty for his soul to rest in peace. We dedicate this issue of JOD to Prof. Akhtar Hussain. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.