Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Institute, hosted the first comprehensive Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Workshop in the region last week.
Oncoplastic breast surgery, which combines oncologic and plastic surgical techniques to achieve optimal cancer control and aesthetic outcomes, is now considered the global gold standard in breast cancer treatment.
The workshop also marked the HMC's success in establishing the region's first specialised Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Unit and dedicated Oncoplastic Multidisciplinary Team.
"This was the first initiative of its kind in the region, and we are proud to position Qatar as a regional centre of excellence for oncoplastic education," said Dr Artefaa Alshamari, consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon and clinical lead of the Breast Surgery Unit at the HMC.
The workshop featured a two-day, hands-on training programme focusing on basic-level oncoplastic techniques, live surgical demonstrations and interactive case discussions.
It was designed to equip surgeons with the latest advancements in breast surgical oncology and aesthetic reconstruction.
A structured mentorship programme that follows will offer continuous support to participants until the advanced workshop takes place later this year.
Surgeons from across the region showed keen interest in the workshop.
The first cohort included five surgeons from Saudi Arabia and two from Pakistan, all of whom will be mentored over the coming months in preparation for the second advanced-level workshop.
"This was more than a workshop – it's a long-term educational journey,” Dr Alshamari said. “We are committed to training breast surgeons in the most up-to-date, evidence-based techniques and to sharing our surgical experience and clinical expertise with specialists in the region."
