The observance of the National Sports Day is a far-sighted initiative that makes Qatar the first country in the world to dedicate a national holiday for sports. Hamad Medical Corporation’s participation in the first Qatar National Sports Day stems from our belief that physical exercise, together with other factors, is crucial for leading a healthy lifestyle. Engaging in sports helps to control obesity and avoid common health problems known to be caused by it. I would like to emphasize that HMC’s participation in various sports events and activities is part of its essential preventive role aiming to protect the community from the spread of diseases in the modern age, where a sedentary lifestyle in addition to unhealthy eating habits can cause obesity and overweight, in turn leading to chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesteremia, heart disease, and bone and joint diseases. A number of HMC staff will participate in the walkathon to be organized by the Supreme Council of Health along Doha Corniche, with the aim of encouraging the public to engage regularly in sports activities and physical exercises. HMC will also participate in the exhibition concurrently organized with the sports activities at the Corniche through a health stand which offers diabetes tests, cholesterol and hypertension check-ups to the public from 8:00am to 1:00pm on the same day. HMC will not only provide patients and the public at large with important health-related counseling and tips, but also encourages its entire staff and their families to embrace sports and lead a healthy lifestyle. For this purpose, sports teams have been formed to represent HMC in a series of sports activities sponsored by the Qatar Olympic Committee, where we have scored several successes. Finally, I would like to take this precious opportunity to encourage everyone in our community to engage in sports and encourage your children to do so. Sports are not only enjoyable, but also enhance your psychological and physical health, and help improve your social interactions. We invite everyone to start engaging in sports today. ILQ NEWS

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