With obesity rates rising worldwide, the 4th Qatar International Metabolic and Bariatric Summit (QIMBS) 2025, hosted by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), addressed the pressing global health challenge.

The summit, held on February 27 to 28 convened leading global and local experts, clinicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals to explore cutting-edge solutions for obesity management and its associated complications.

Chaired by Dr Moataz Bashah, director of the National Bariatric Centre at HMC said the summit served as a crucial prelude to the World Obesity Day 2025 Global Campaign. This year's programme spotlighted innovations in bariatric surgery, medical weight management, diet and lifestyle, and addressed the medical and surgical management of obesity in Children and Adolescents, featuring a dedicated panel discussion with leading experts.

Dr Moataz Bashah, conference chair said: "The 4th QIMBS 2025 was not just a conference; it was a call to action. We worked together to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and implement effective strategies to address the growing obesity challenge, both locally and globally. This summit showcased the latest advancements and provided a platform for meaningful dialogue to drive real change."

In Qatar, according to the recent Stepwise Report 2023 published by the Ministry of Public Health, over 70% of the population was affected by obesity. The 4th QIMBS 2025 underscored the importance of collaborative global efforts to combat this epidemic and improve the health and well-being of individuals affected by obesity.

An international faculty joined the Summit to share their expertise, including:Prof Michel Gagner, chief, Department of Surgery, Westmount Square Surgical Center, Canada; Dr Nathalie Farpour-Lambert, head, Global Obesity Programme, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland; Dr Osama Hamdy, associate professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School; medical director, Obesity Clinical Programme, Joslin Diabetes Centre, USA; Prof Billy Helmuth, director of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, Ventura Advanced Surgical Associates, USA and Prof Antonio J Torres, professor of Surgery, Complutense University of Madrid; chief of the General and Digestive Surgery Service, Clínico San Carlos Hospital, Spain.

They were joined by a prominent faculty of local speakers and moderators from Qatar's leading institutions, including the National Bariatric Centre and National Obesity Treatment Centre from the Qatar Metabolic Institute (QMI), HMC.

The summit delved into a wide range of topics including: advances in bariatric surgery, including magnetic bipartition, robotic surgery, and minimally invasive procedures; innovative surgical techniques and medical management of the treatment of obesity and the role medication and lifestyle changes in weight management.

Prof Abdul Badi Abou Samra, co-Chair of the National Diabetes Committee and a member of QMI said: "Obesity is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences. The QMI is committed to supporting initiatives like the 4th QIMBS 2025 that brought together world-renowned experts to share best practices and advance our understanding of obesity prevention and treatment."