QATAR is to be promoted as the regional hub for healthcare, medical education and research at the Arab Health Exhibition & Congress being held in Dubai from January 26 to 29.
The nearly 400sqm Qatar pavilion, one of the largest at the world’s second largest event of its kind, will have eight organisations as participants under the guidance of the National Health Authority (NHA).
Hamad Medical Corporation, Aspetar, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q), Qatar University’s College of Pharmacy, College of the North Atlantic – Qatar, University of Calgary – Qatar, and Qatar Science and Technology Park are the others.
‘Qatar: Leading the Change’ is the theme of the event scheduled at Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre. The Qatar pavilion will have a design based on the DNA structure, linking together all the participants.
The NHA-led consortium will present Qatar’s solutions to three major health challenges. These are premature death through injury and infant mortality, preventable long-term conditions aggravated by genetic factors such as diabetes, and lifestyle diseases that reduce life expectancy and quality of life - such as obesity and cardiovascular disease.
Making this vision a reality is key participant HMC with nearly 20,000 employees covering medical, paramedical, administrative and support services throughout five specialised hospitals offering tertiary healthcare.
“HMC were the first public medical centre in the region to attain international accreditation from the Joint Commission International for all of its healthcare centres and hospitals,” pointed out Marketing and Public Relations executive director Mohamed al-Noimi.
Caring for almost 90% of Qatar’s population, HMC has educational links with Cornell University and is presently the teaching hospital for the country’s first medical school WCMC-Q, which offers an integrated programme of pre-medical and medical studies leading to the Cornell University MD degree.
It is the first time that an American university has offered its MD degree overseas and teaching is by Cornell and Weill Cornell faculty, including physicians from HMC who hold Weill Cornell appointments.
HMC’s tie-up with the University of Heidelberg Clinics in Germany helps to support the operations at Al Amal Hospital which specialises in oncology and cancer treatment.
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, US, provides technical services and support for HMC’s accident and emergency services.
Underscoring the lead that Qatar has taken regionally is clearly illustrated by the joint venture between Cornell University, a global pioneer of university level co-education, and the Qatar Foundation which resulted in WCMC-Q.
“Enrolment at has grown rapidly from 25 first year pre-medical students in 2002 to over 240 students from 30 different countries in 2008,” WCMC-Q’s director of public affairs Michael Vertigans stated.
“Qatar and the rest of the region can benefit from this, with home-grown graduates inspiring the next generation of Arab and regionally-based healthcare professionals,” he maintained.
Aspetar is the region’s first specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital. This unique facility attracts some of the best athletes in the world not only to address sporting injuries, but also for consultation about optimising fitness levels, nutrition, psychology and training schedules.
“Last year the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress attracted 50,000 visitors,” Vertigans recalled.
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