The Second Forum of Naufar, focusing on the 'Precision Medicine Approach in Treating Substance Use Disorders,' concluded Monday after covering a comprehensive range of critical topics over two days.
The event, inaugurated by HE the Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad al-Mahmoud, was attended by senior officials, leading experts in the healthcare sector, and representatives from academic bodies and international organisations.
The forum built upon the significant success of its inaugural edition, which established new benchmarks for scholarly discourse and collaborative efforts within the domains of addiction treatment and precision medicine.
In his keynote address, Prof Mohammed Ghanem al-Ali al-Maadheed, chair of the Organising Committee for the symposium and director general of Naufar noted the venue's full occupancy of 250 attendees, complemented by an extensive virtual presence exceeding 8,000 online participants.
He also acknowledged the significant support extended to Naufar Centre by the Ministry of Public Health and prominent national scientific institutions in its ongoing efforts to implement a precision medicine framework.
"This symposium reflects Naufar’s unwavering commitment to its leading role in the advancement of specialised healthcare for the treatment of substance misuse disorders," Prof al-Maadheed said.
"We firmly believe that precision medicine represents a pivotal advancement in therapeutic approaches, and we are dedicated through this symposium to fostering robust collaboration and the exchange of in-depth expertise to identify innovative and efficacious solutions that effectively address the evolving needs of both patients and the broader community."
There were 22 renowned speakers from Qatar and around the world, including Prof Amine Benyamina (president, French Federation of Addictology), who addressed the urgent need for precision medicine in addiction care; Prof Vidya Mohamed-Ali (University College London), who explored the gut-brain axis in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment; Prof Alexander Baldacchio (University of St Andrews), who presented on the role of innovative technology in reducing drug-related fatalities; Prof Fares Alharbi (King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Saudi Arabia), who discussed the complexities of polysubstance abuse in the Middle East; and Dr. Nathalie Rieser (University of Zurich), who shared insights on psilocybin for relapse prevention.
The sessions covered topics including the impact of genomics and pharmacogenetics in tailoring addiction treatment to individual patient profiles, advances in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and therapies targeting the gut-brain axis, addressing challenges such as polysubstance abuse, psychiatric comorbidities, and gaming disorder, and focused sessions on mental health and precision physiotherapy for athletes with SUDs.
Attendees also learnt about the Naufar model of care, presented by deputy director general Dr Khalifa al-Kuwari, highlighting the organisation’s commitment to holistic, patient-centric treatment that prioritizes individualised care and comprehensive well-being.
Naufar, a CARF-accredited centre for the third consecutive cycle, remains dedicated to delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care aligned with the latest scientific evidence and international standards. The institution is committed to empowering patients and families to rebuild their lives through integrated programs spanning diagnosis, rehabilitation, and community support.
Naufar, a specialised centre for the treatment of substance use disorders and rehabilitation in Qatar, established by an Emiri decree in 2015 and operational since 2017, offers a comprehensive range of evidence-based treatments aligned with the latest international standards and guidelines.
