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The upcoming World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) 2024 will highlight the impact of conflict on healthcare under the theme 'Humanising Health: Conflict, Equity, and Resilience'.Taking place on November 13 and 14, the summit will focus on how wars have a massive and direct impact on families, besides the destruction of infrastructure, degradation of education and healthcare systems among others.WISH, a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), in collaboration with the WHO is developing a report on protecting health in armed conflict. The report, according to an article on QF website will present the most recent trends in attacks against healthcare facilities and workers with a focus on the scale, nature, and distribution of these attacks.It will propose mechanisms for the protection of healthcare in armed conflict, looking at existing legal frameworks such as International Human Rights Law, and accountability measures including the criminal prosecution of atrocity crimes, and UN accountability mechanisms.The report will also provide policy recommendations for the prevention, mitigation and accountability of these crimes from a global, regional, and national perspective.Maha El Akoum, acting director of research and content at WISH, said: “This year's alarming rise in attacks against healthcare workers and facilities underscores the pressing need for a transformative response to safeguard health in conflict zones. Health workers, who are at the centre of our health systems, are disproportionately affected by violence, often working under perilous conditions with overwhelming workloads and scarce resources, all while worrying about the safety of their own families.”“As families bear the brunt of these crises, psychologically and socially, it is imperative that we mobilize governments, UN agencies, and civil society to protect not only medical services but also the very fabric of family life. Together, we can forge a future where health and safety are recognized as fundamental rights for every individual and family, even in the most challenging environments,” noted, El Akoum.While a study by Doha International Family Institute (Difi) titled 'Wars, Conflicts, and Their Impacts on Arab Families' highlights that despite the current situation in Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and other Arab countries, the Arab family continues to exemplify values of compassion and solidarity, and provides care for children and the elderly.“During peaceful times, every individual in the family has their role and responsibilities clearly defined,” Dr Sharifa al-Emadi, executive director of Difi, says. “However, in times of war, when educational and healthcare facilities are attacked and families are directly targeted, the weight of the responsibilities of parents in providing protection and care for their children or the elderly becomes enormous and extremely difficult.”Dr al-Emadi says that researchers have noted that during the war on Gaza, with entire families being wiped out and their members martyred, many children find themselves alone, leading to the emergence of the phenomenon of these children being taken in by families with no blood relation to them.

HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, along with several World Health Organisation (WHO) officials and Qatari sports celebrities led the “Walk the Talk, Health for All Challenge” on Sunday at Oxygen Park, Education City, Qatar Foundation as large number of people participated at the event.Organised by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the WHO in Eastern Mediterranean, the event helped to promote physical activity for health and well-being.It was held a day before the 71st session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean in Doha.HE Dr al-Kuwari was joined by WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy, ministers and health leaders from 21 member states, delegates of the regional committee, and leaders and frontline staff from Qatar’s healthcare sector.“Walk the Talk” was also attended by members of Qatar’s Olympic team, including weightlifter Fares Ibrahim Hassouna, sprinter and long jumper Bashayer Almanwari, and sprinter Shahad Mohammed.Addressing the participants, HE Dr al-Kuwari said: “We are delighted to collaborate once again with the WHO to organise this ‘Walk the Talk’, Health for All Challenge. This is the second time we have hosted this important event in Doha, following the successful ‘Walk the Talk’ event held on the eve of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.”“It is a wonderful demonstration of our ongoing commitment to promote health and well-being,” she said. “Walking is a simple yet powerful way to enhance both physical and mental health, and it is heartening to see so many people come together to support this important cause.”“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who participated and made this event a success,” the minister added."Physical activity is fundamental to good health and well-being,” said Dr Balkhy. “We must transform our communities into vibrant hubs of health and activity.”"To make physical activity accessible and effective, we must advocate for inclusive programmes, invest in facilities that encourage physical activities, create enjoyable and safe environments and encourage policy-makers to prioritise active living in urban planning,” she said.“Qatar is setting a great example of walking the talk towards an active life for all,” the official added. “Together we can break down barriers and create a culture in which physical activity is a fundamental part of everyday life."The walking route provided an ideal setting, allowing participants of all ages and abilities to come together in a celebration of health.The event featured a range of interactive booths, including a joint booth by the MoPH and Generation Amazing.Generation Amazing played a pivotal role as a key partner in implementing the Healthy Cities Programme, making Qatar the first country in the region to have all municipalities as “Healthy Cites”.The event concluded with an exhibition football match, organised by Generation Amazing.Sports legends played alongside children from Gaza who are recovering following medical care and support in Qatar, in a display of the unifying power of sport.

Giving a fillip to Qatar's efforts at energy conservation and sustainability, the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (Gord), based at Qatar Science and Technology Park, has developed a we-based simulation tool.Energia Suite helps in assessing the energy performance of buildings, Gord founding chairman Dr Yousef Alhorr told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview.Gord has been working to develop this tool for some time, and now it is set for the global launch, he stated.“As 40% of energy is consumed in building operations, reducing energy usage within buildings is crucial for lowering the carbon footprint, whether locally or globally. There are many strategies and techniques to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. However, to assess the impact of such solutions, you need assessment tools,” said, Dr Alhorr.“To bridge the gap, we have developed Energia Suite, a first of its kind in the region. This simulation tool can be used to assess energy-saving intervention strategies, products and solutions. It enables developers and project owners to assess in advance whether these solutions or products will effectively achieve the required energy saving,” explained the official.“The strength of this tool is that it can be used anywhere in the world. It can be used in more than 10,000 cities across the world, making it truly global. It is backed by extremely sophisticated calculation engine based on the energy use. The tool is very sound and well-founded in terms of scientific aspects and is based on ISO, ASHRAE, and European standards,” he noted.Energia Suite has a user-friendly interface so that people can just key in the building data related to the systems, materials and products. "The tool will then process this information to perform the needed calculation. Energia Suite does not require an energy expert to run it. This is the key difference between Energia Suite and other simulation tools, which require highly skilled energy professionals.”According to Dr Alhorr, Energia Suite can be used to assess energy patterns of complex high-rise buildings as well as smaller projects.“Energia Suite is among our latest initiatives to support energy efficiency in the built environment. It is a global initiative for which we have received interest from different countries to test its viability. Soon, we will be launching this tool internationally,” he added.

Qatar’s third National Health Strategy 2024-2030, launched yesterday, aims to deliver on three strategic dimensions to address Qatar’s current health sector challenges across population health, service delivery and system efficiency.Officials from the public healthcare sector told a press conference that the new strategy was the outcome of detailed deliberations over a long time.They stressed that the strategy also aims to further advance the health system by expanding services and increasing specialised services, with a focus on making Qatar a medical tourism destination, as an initiative will be launched in the near future.Dr Salih Ali al-Marri, assistant minister for health affairs, Ministry of Public Health; Dr Mariam Abdulmalik, managing director, Primary Health Care Corporation; and Dr Yousef al-Maslamani, deputy chief medical officer for clinical affairs, Hamad Medical Corporation, were present.The officials spoke about the importance of the new strategy in achieving Qatar National Vision 2030 in enhancing the health and well-being of the population in Qatar, taking into account the need to involve the patient in designing an advanced health system that serves their needs.Dr al-Marri said that within the three NHS-3 priority areas a set of 15 system-level challenges were identified.They will be addressed by the delivery of 15 strategic outcomes, supported by a comprehensive set of initiatives that will support the required shifts and help realise the future state, over the next seven years.The three priority areas are: Improved population health and well-being; Excellence in service delivery and patient experience and Health system efficiency and resilience.Among the key outcomes of the “Improving Population Health and Wellbeing” priority are raising public health awareness, empowering patients and caregivers, proactive disease prevention and detection, and ensuring integrated health and well-being across all sectors. These outcomes are supported by significant initiatives, including universal vaccination coverage, occupational health, environmental health, and food safety.Key outcomes under the “Excellence in Service Delivery and Patient Experience” priority include developing updated, comprehensive care models and standards across the entire healthcare system, as well as excelling in primary, community, secondary and specialised care. Important initiatives supporting these outcomes include the continuous improvement of population-specific services, quality of care and the Health Tourism Programme.In the “Health System Efficiency and Resilience” priority, outcomes include excellence in health research and innovation, effective emergency preparedness and response, a skilled and efficient workforce, and a robust digital healthcare system supported by data-driven decision-making, strong governance and sustainable healthcare financing. Notable initiatives under this priority include cross-sector collaboration, enhancing public-private partnerships, workforce skills development, applied health intelligence and investment in biotechnology and medical security.There is also a comprehensive communication plan to support the implementation of the strategy. The plan focuses on raising awareness among all stakeholders, ensuring continuous engagement with patients to enhance their participation in their healthcare journey, and improving patient satisfaction across all healthcare facilities. The strategy also prioritises patient experience, continuity of previous strategy projects, and supporting Qatar’s economic diversification agenda.

The Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (Gord) has developed a new hybrid, ultra-efficient cooling system, Synergia 7n1, which is approved by the UK Patent Office, and registered with the International Patent Organisation.“A unique feature of our hybrid cooling system is its ability to cool outdoor spaces with up to 50% energy efficiency compared to conventional systems in the market, thus presenting a potential business opportunity to take it into commercialisation,” Dr Yousef Alhorr, founding chairman of Gord told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview."We hope that after final testing, we can produce commercial prototypes of this cooling system," he said while explaining that Synergia 7n1 has already received two awards: one from the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) in the US for the best energy innovation in the world and another award for Best Patent in Energy Efficiency from the League of Arab States.“The system can seamlessly combine seven cooling solutions into one portable unit and hence named 7n1. We have managed to manufacture the prototype in Qatar, which is now attracting a new business opportunity for the local industry. As cooling now accounts for 70% of energy consumption in buildings, it is very important to tackle this challenge, and this is what we have managed to do with Synergia. Moreover, Synergia will support new jobs creation in this very important domain,” explained, Dr Alhorr.The founding chairman of Gord said that a new line of air conditioners can be launched with the Synergia 7n1 technology.“We are eagerly anticipating the impact this innovation will have as fresh air handling units have a promising potential. These units can be used to cool entertainment venues, souks, parks, and workplaces, among other locations. They can also be used to cool specialised facilities such as hospitals and surgery rooms, where the circulated air is not allowed and you need 100% fresh air. So, when the air conditioning systems deal with 100% fresh air, there is a big challenge in terms of the energy use,” he continued.“The differences between our system and the conventional systems are primarily in two key areas. Alongside using the compressor for cooling, our system uses dehumidification and then indirect evaporative cooling as two pre-treatment stages for processing air,” he highlighted.As for the operation of the new system, Dr Alhorr said that desiccant dehumidification is used to reduce the humidity of the air and it goes to another pre-treatment stage where it is cooled down again by using the evaporative cooling.He described: “By having these two pre-treatment stages, we reduce 50% of the energy used for the remaining cooling. Instead of cooling from 48C outside to 18C inside, the compressors are pre-conditioned to stage 1, with temperature reduced from 48C to 33C degrees. Then in stage 2, the compressors cool from 33C to 18C. Fifty percent of the load is taken by the two pre-treatment stages, where we don't use compressors. It's only one pump and a few fans, making the energy consumption very minimal compared to the energy consumption of the compressors.”“In the US, Europe, and the Far East, there are various ongoing projects focused on exploring and developing hybrid cooling systems. We have managed to do it on a large scale with capacities of up to 100 tonnes, which represents a substantial scale of operation,” added, Dr Alhorr.

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, attended the fifth observance of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack (IDPEA) Monday at Qatar National Convention Centre.The event, organised by EAA was attended by heads of state, high-level dignitaries and UN representatives.IDPEA was established through a resolution spearheaded by Qatar and Her Highness Sheikha Moza at the United Nations General Assembly in 2020. Supported by 62 countries, the resolution declared September 9 as the UN International Day to Protect Education from Attack.This year’s observance, under the theme "Education in Peril: The Human Cost of War," featured a keynote address by Her Highness Sheikha Moza and a high-level panel discussion. A message from Antonio Gutrres, secretary general of the United Nations was read out on the occasion.The panelilsts included: Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak, Prime Minister of Yemen; Fatima Maada Bio, first lady of Sierra Leone; Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, first lady of The Gambia; Dr Wan Azizah binti Wan Ismail, spouse of the prime minister of Malaysia; Rosângela Lula da Silva, first lady of Brazil; Mirela Bećirović, first lady of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Philippa Karsera-Christodoulides, first lady of Cyprus; Dr Varsen Aghabekian, minister of state for foreign affairs and expatriates, Palestine; Saida Shavkatovna Mirziyoyeva, advisor to the president of Uzbekistan; Sara Beysolow Nyanti, minister of foreign affairs of Liberia and Virginia Gamba, UNSRSG for Children and Armed Conflict.Her Highness Sheikha Moza in her address emphasised the destructive power of attacks on education, stating: “Education is the vessel that will carry children to a bright future. But attacks on education destroy the lives of teachers and students and leave nothing but emptiness, annihilating their future. There is no doubt that those who target education know what they are doing and do so with premeditation.” She went on to call for urgent global action to protect education from attack.The event featured technical break-out sessions on critical topics such as How Culture Can Bridge Gaps, Mitigating the Human and Financial Toll of Conflict, and Justice and Rule of Law: Rights, Law, and Accountability. These sessions brought together government representatives from Nigeria, Malaysia, South Africa, Tajikistan, SDG advocates, youth from conflict-affected regions like Gaza, Sudan, and Yemen, and representatives from Unesco, Unicef, and OHCHR.A high-level delegation visited the first Assalam School. Students from conflicted-affected countries whose education has been interrupted are able to continue learning at the school. It is supported by EAA Foundation, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Qatar, and other local partners. In partnership with the Al Fakhoora programme, vocational and entrepreneurship training are offered to older students. Disability accommodations and counselling are provided for the students to ensure their physical and emotional well-being.According to the 2024 report by the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, attacks on education have increased by 20% compared to previous years. In 2022 and 2023 alone, over 10,000 students and educators were killed, injured, abducted, or harmed in such attacks, with explosive weapons used in one-third of these incidents. Palestine, Sudan, Ukraine, Congo, and Myanmar are among the most affected countries.Currently, more than 72 million children worldwide are out of school due to conflict, with 53% of them being girls and 17% facing functional difficulties, while 21% have been forcibly displaced. The ongoing attacks on education disrupt learning and have severe short- and long-term consequences for individuals and societies.EAA's work is essential for defending against and preventing attacks on education. The observance of IDPEA is particularly pertinent to the advocacy efforts of Qatar, which champions global outreach with the aim of identifying, actioning, and committing to education.

Expressing deep anguish over relentless attacks on education at various parts of the world, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Education Above All Foundation, has called for renewed global commitment to safeguarding schools from attacks.Her Highness Sheikha Moza was addressing a galaxy of world leaders yesterday at Qatar National Convention Centre on the occasion of the 5th Observance of International Day to Protect Education from Attack marked annually on September 9.Her Highness Sheikha Moza started the address by stating: “When I talk of education, my definition is not abstract, but comprehensive. Education is classrooms crowded with innocent children who dream. Education is the parents who dream of a bright future for their children. Education is the vessel that will carry those children to that bright future. Education is the dedicated teachers who guide the vessel and prepare the children to lead the way.”“But attacks on education rip away the vessel, destroying the lives of teachers and students and leaving nothing but emptiness. The future is annihilated. And there is no doubt that those who target education know what they are doing and do so with premeditation,” continued the EAA chairperson.Speaking about Palestine, Her Highness Sheikha Moza said that Gaza is being subjected to brutal bombardment – a genocide marked by massacres that are taking place every day.EAA chairperson said: “One of the most atrocious was the massacre of more than a hundred displaced Palestinians, killed as they took shelter in the Tab’een School in Al Daraj district. If a similar massacre was committed by another country in Asia or Africa, the international community would have rushed, with no hesitation, to condemn and sanction it.”Her Highness Sheikha Moza highlighted that the violence continues and the displacement of millions continues and attacks on education continue. “In Sudan, Ukraine, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Colombia, innocent students pay an incalculable price for bitter division. We – the international community – have failed to protect education and we have failed to protect students,” lamented the chairperson.Her Highness Sheikha Moza noted: “We may well rationalise what we see, but we cannot justify the international community allowing those who attack education to do so with impunity and without decisive deterrence.”“I am angry at an international community that claims to be civilised. Gaza has revealed its hypocrisy. I am angry at the leaders of countries who proclaim their anger over one war and remain silent about another. I am angry at leaders who blather about human rights and the mandate of international law and say nothing about the genocide taking place in Gaza,” highlighted Her Highness Sheikha Moza.The chairperson remarked that in the midst of despair, those students around the world, who continue to protest against war and suffering, embody the innate human instinct towards peace before it is tainted by personal interest, pragmatism and politics.“As the challenges to this fragile planet mount – among them climate change, disease, and further wars – we need the talent and ability of every child and young person to be put to good use. We need them to fulfil their potential. We need them to continue their education. We need them to teach, to advocate and to lead, to defend the rights of children and young people to peace and education. Above all, we need them to live,” added, Her Highness Sheikha Moza.

The 5th Observance of the UN International Day to Protect Education from Attack will be held today (Monday), with high-level panel discussions and keynote addresses by various dignitaries at Qatar National Convention Centre.The International Day to Protect Education from Attack was established through a resolution spearheaded by Qatar and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser at the United Nations General Assembly which declared September 9 as the UN International Day to Protect Education from Attack.Meanwhile, Qatar Foundation (QF) is gearing up its efforts to contribute to providing education to millions of children who are not in schools around the world. Based on its belief that education remains the beacon of hope for future generations, a number of volunteers are joining efforts to provide education to Palestinian children evacuated from Gaza to Qatar to receive medical treatment.Hadeel al-Sayed, a teacher at Qatar Academy Sidra, part of QF’s Pre-University Education didn’t think twice when given the opportunity to volunteer and extend a helping hand.She says: “Education is a strong tool for empowerment and recovery. It gives evacuees a sense of normalcy, structure and hope for the future. Access to education opens doors to opportunities, helping them rebuild their lives, and pursue their aspirations despite the challenges they have faced.”Al-Sayed teaches beginner-level English skills to the evacuated Palestinian children, ensuring to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that caters to their individual levels, encourages them to support one another, and addresses their emotional and psychological needs.For Muna al-Musalamani, a recent graduate of Northwestern University in Qatar, volunteering to teach Palestinian evacuees was a way to convey her humanitarian message.She says: “This community is beautiful because it combines people that come from different ages and experiences; but they all share one thing – hope. Hope is what drives them; it pushes them to limits I have never seen before. When you mix hope with access to education, you create such a powerful scenario.”Muna uses writing as a means to help learners address their psychological needs. "I ask each individual to write a story about themselves in a few sentences and share it with others. This enhances their communication with each other because they share similar stories."Ibrahim Abdelhadi, a Palestinian high school student, attended the classes provided by the volunteers and sees education as a source of hope and drive to move forward. For Abdelhadi, it is the means to build societies and a tool that enables individuals to face challenges, no matter how difficult.Offering further support to Palestinian evacuee students in Qatar, Qatar Career Development Centre (QCDC) is giving them access to its programmes and resources, ensuring they have the tools to build a brighter future.During QCDC’s “My Career My Future” 2024 programme, 20 Gaza evacuee students participated in tailored hands-on experiences and job shadowing opportunities in various companies in Qatar.QCDC’s director, Abdulla Ahmed al-Mansoori noted: "At QCDC, we are committed to empowering Gaza evacuee students, as well as all students in Qatar who are looking for better opportunities for their educational pursuits. We provide them with the tools and career guidance needed to build their future and pursue their dreams despite the adversities they have faced.”Education in Palestine is not just a basic right but a lifeline and the foundation of resilience in the face of growing challenges. Palestine is among the countries with the lowest illiteracy rates globally with an illiteracy rate of only 2.3% among individuals aged 15 and above, according to figures from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.

The 5th Observance of the UN International Day to Protect Education from Attack will be held Monday with high level panel discussions and keynote addresses by various dignitaries at Qatar National Convention Centre.The International Day to Protect Education from Attack was established through a resolution spearheaded by Qatar and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser at the United Nations General Assembly which declared September 9 as the UN International Day to Protect Education from Attack.Meanwhile, Qatar Foundation (QF) is gearing up its efforts to contribute to providing education to millions of children who are not in schools around the world. Based on its belief that education remains the beacon of hope for future generations, a number of volunteers are joining efforts to provide education to Palestinian children evacuated from Gaza to Qatar to receive medical treatment.Hadeel al-Sayed, a teacher at Qatar Academy Sidra, part of QF’s Pre-University Education didn’t think twice when given the opportunity to volunteer and extend a helping hand.She says: “Education is a strong tool for empowerment and recovery. It gives evacuees a sense of normalcy, structure, and hope for the future. Access to education opens doors to opportunities, helping them rebuild their lives, and pursue their aspirations despite the challenges they have faced.”Al-Sayed teaches beginner-level English skills to the evacuated Palestinian children, ensuring to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that caters to their individual levels, encourages them to support one another, and addresses their emotional and psychological needs.For Muna al-Musalamani, a recent graduate of Northwestern University in Qatar, volunteering to teach Palestinian evacuees was a way to convey her humanitarian message.She says: “This community is beautiful because it combines people that come from different ages and experiences; but they all share one thing – hope. Hope is what drives them; it pushes them to limits I have never seen before. When you mix hope with access to education, you create such a powerful scenario.”Mona uses writing as a means to help learners address their psychological needs. "I ask each individual to write a story about themselves in a few sentences and share it with others. This enhances their communication with each other because they share similar stories."Ibrahim Abdelhadi, a Palestinian high school student, attended the classes provided by the volunteers and sees education as a source of hope and drive to move forward. For Abdelhadi, it is the means to build societies and a tool that enables individuals to face challenges, no matter how difficult.Offering further support to Palestinian evacuee students in Qatar, Qatar Career Development Centre (QCDC) is giving them access to its programmes and resources, ensuring they have the tools to build a brighter future.During QCDC’s “My Career My Future” 2024 programme, 20 Gaza evacuee students participated in tailored hands-on experiences and job shadowing opportunities in various companies in Qatar.QCDC’s director, Abdulla Ahmed al-Mansoori noted: "At QCDC, we are committed to empowering Gaza evacuee students, as well as all students in Qatar who are looking for better opportunities for their educational pursuits. We provide them with the tools and career guidance needed to build their future and pursue their dreams despite the adversities they have faced.”Education in Palestine is not just a basic right but a lifeline and the foundation of resilience in the face of growing challenges. Palestine is among the countries with the lowest illiteracy rates globally with an illiteracy rate of only 2.3% among individuals aged 15 and above according to figures from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.

Sidra Medicine has regionally been recognised as an expert in the next generation of healthcare, which is precision medicine, stated the CEO of the hospital in an interview with Gulf Times.“We have progressed over the last five years and become a regional expert in precision medicine. Precision medicine is essentially targeting specific therapies to specific people based on unique information of that individual,” said, Dr Iyabo Tinubu-Karch on the sidelines of a media event.Dr Tinubu Karch said the outcomes that are happening with precision medicine and the hospital's research, have been brought to the bedside.“ We are now at the point where we have been able to leverage our research to actually deliver diagnostic care. So I would say that because of our tripartite mission of research, education, and clinical care, we are now able to take care of those diseases that we couldn't take care of five or ten years ago. As we continue this trajectory, soon Qatar and Sidra Medicine will be perfectly positioned to begin therapeutic solutions for rare diseases, ” explained Dr Tinubu Karch.The official said that many countries are keen on collaborating with Sidra Medicine for gene therapy .“ The Libyan Ministry of Health has close to 100 patients that they would like to send to us for gene therapy. The Iraqi government also has expressed their interest. And so we are now being recognised regionally as an expert in the provision of genetic testing and genetic care,” she continued.Meanwhile, the CEO noted that Sidra Medicine continues to take care of children from Gaza who were wounded in the ongoing Palestinian crisis. She stated: “Since, December 9, 2023, we have taken care of over 170 Gaza children wounded in the ongoing conflict. Palestinian children from Gaza have had significant injuries, trauma that required not just surgery but rehabilitative therapy with occupational health, physical therapy and mental health.”Dr Tinubu Karch described that many of them required significant interventions and several of them have been discharged after proper care. “We are still taking care of the discharged children on an outpatient basis and continued care. We are open to receive any more children if any such situations arise. We have got the ward ready and we have got all our physicians, surgeons, nurses ready," she highlighted.The official highlighted that many of the children when admitted at Sidra Medicine suffered from severe injuries such as head injuries, shrapnel in their bodies, trauma, lots of loss of limbs, blindness, burns, fractures and internal injuries among others.“Most of them had very deviating state of mental health while brought over to the hospital. A lot of them were shell-shocked from repeated trauma. We have a robust mental health team with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, care workers who took care of them,” added, Dr Tinubu Karch.

The Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (Gord) based at Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) is planning for large-scale production of carbonate-based plaster from various waste materials. The pilot plant at QSTP is now under commissioning and the aim is to start production soon.“At Gord, we have established this pilot plant for producing eco-friendly plasterboard of superior performance from carbon capture and mineralisation processes. The process uses sustainable methods that avoid the negative environmental impacts associated with traditional production,” Dr Yousef Alhorr, founding chairman of Gord told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview.Gord is using the waste streams from different industries in Qatar for the project. “We have several desalination units in Qatar. We take their rejected brine, as well as the gas flue from different power and chemical industries. We utilise this flue gas, and we extract and sequester the CO2 emissions from it.”“Then all these are combined with the rejected brine. Thereafter we make use of magnesium, again from the rejected brine, to produce eco-friendly carbonate-based plaster, which is also safe for human health.”According to Dr Alhorr, the eco-friendly product has three times the compressive strength of normal plasterboard cement with 50% less density or weight. “So, it is lighter, higher in compressive strength, as well as eco-friendly because the raw material is derived from waste. We have filed for a patent for this process and technology,” he noted.The founding chairman said that Gord is planning to make the pilot plant as a demonstration facility for investors. He also pointed out that it is a Qatari-patented technology taking the country’s efforts in research and innovation to higher levels.“By demonstrating the production process on a smaller scale, we can show the technology’s viability, allowing investors to see the material first hand and understand its potential. Soon, we hope to commence full operations of the facility where we can produce larger quantity of this material,” he highlighted.“The plant at QSTP will help to educate the investors about the feasibility and viability of the product as well as its positive environmental impact. If all goes well, we will go for large-scale production to scale up it on industrial scale. As we produce more of this material, it will reach the market as a high quality Qatar product,” added Dr Alhorr.

The Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (Gord) based at Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) is planning for large-scale production of carbonate-based plaster from various waste materials. The pilot plant at QSTP is now under commissioning and the aim is to start production soon.“At Gord, we have established this pilot plant for producing eco-friendly plasterboard of superior performance from carbon capture and mineralisation processes. The process uses sustainable methods that avoid the negative environmental impacts associated with traditional production,” Dr Yousef Alhorr, founding chairman of Gord told Gulf Times in an exclusive interview. Gord is using the waste streams from different industries in Qatar for the project. “We have several desalination units in Qatar. We take their rejected brine, as well as the gas flue from different power and chemical industries. We utilise this flue gas, and we extract and sequester the CO2 emissions from it.”“Then all these are combined with the rejected brine. Thereafter we make use of magnesium, again from the rejected brine, to produce eco-friendly carbonate-based plaster, which is also safe for human health.”According to Dr Alhorr, the eco-friendly product has three times the compressive strength of normal plasterboard cement with 50% less density or weight. “So, it is lighter, higher in compressive strength, as well as eco-friendly because the raw material is derived from waste. We have filed for a patent for this process and technology,” he noted.The founding chairman said that Gord is planning to make the pilot plant as a demonstration facility for investors. He also pointed out that it is a Qatari-patented technology taking the country’s efforts in research and innovation to higher levels.“By demonstrating the production process on a smaller scale, we can show the technology’s viability, allowing investors to see the material first hand and understand its potential. Soon, we hope to commence full operations of the facility where we can produce larger quantity of this material,” he highlighted.“The plant at QSTP will help to educate the investors about the feasibility and viability of the product as well as its positive environmental impact. If all goes well, we will go for large-scale production to scale up it on industrial scale. As we produce more of this material, it will reach the market as a high quality Qatar product,” added Dr Alhorr.

Making a tremendous impact on the research and innovation ecosystem of Qatar and emphasising the premier role of Sidra Medicine globally, at least 20 global pharmaceutical companies have contacted the hospital for clinical trials for new drugs, Gulf Times has learnt.“Such a feat is very much unheard of and speaks volumes about the hospital and its healthcare advancements,” Dr Iyabo Tinubu-Karch, CEO of Sidra Medicine said in an exclusive interview. Some of the clinical trials are already at advanced stages and the outcomes can be expected very soon.She explained : “We are doing Phase III clinical trials for congenital hyperinsulinemia with one of the pharmaceutical companies. Hyperinsulinemia results in too much insulin, resulting in decreasing the sugar level. It is a life-threatening situation and babies born with the disease can even die.”“As we are doing these trials, it will allow us to release the drug much earlier, even before the drug is released globally. So we are the first one in Phase III trials. And when you get to Phase III trials in clinical research, it means that the drug is going to be launched. We will be the first one who is doing this,” continued the official.Dr Iyabo Tinubu-Karch said that it is a huge achievement for Qatar. “It is not happening in the US, not Europe, but Qatar is doing it,” she stressed.The official noted that Sidra Medicine, over the last five years, has become a regional expert in precision medicine, the next generation of healthcare. “Precision medicine is essentially targeting specific therapies to specific people, based on unique information of that individual. We went with the research and now we are at the point to actually deliver diagnostic care. Because of our tripartite mission of research, education, and clinical care, we are now able to take care of those diseases,” she remarked.The CEO pointed out that Qatar and Sidra Medicine will be perfectly positioned to begin therapeutic solutions for the rare diseases. “And so it is an incredible trajectory. And the great thing is that it is not just Sidra Medicine. It is an ecosystem that has been fuelled by the Qatar Foundation and the incredible investment in research,” she highlighted.The official said that Sidra Medicine is expanding genetic services to do more genetic and diagnostic testing. "We can open up the testing to those who are now coming into Qatar for treatment. We are expanding our rehabilitative services and embracing artificial intelligence to drive our precision health research.”“10 years from now, Sidra Medicine will be a pioneer in the treatment of paediatric rare diseases and manufacturing groundbreaking gene therapy drugs,” added Dr Iyabo Tinubu-Karch.

Qatar Research Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council is acting as a facilitator to make the country a test bed for international organisations to set up their initiatives, an official told Gulf Times.“There are many initiatives that we are promoting to invite startups and companies from abroad to come and set up in Qatar to see Qatar as a test bed for their innovative solutions and to develop their technology in Qatar,” Malik Habayeb, international partnerships programme expert at QRDI explained.Speaking on the sidelines of an event in collaboration with Thailand embassy in Doha, the official stated that the main goal at QRDI is to help these institutions find the right partner in Qatar."QRDI is a funding agency and our mandate is certainly to build the partnerships and foster these partnerships. This is our goal for our partners from any country around the world. This is why Qatar is investing heavily in the technology space.”Habayeb said that there are unique opportunities where corporates and startups can come to Qatar, check out the ecosystem and get acquainted with the cutting-edge infrastructure that the country offers.The unique part of QRDI research portfolio is that it allows 20% of the grants to be spent outside the country.“However, the lead investigator in a research project has to be based in Qatar and they can collaborate with the research entities abroad. What we are trying to explain to our partners in Thailand as well as elsewhere in the world is that they are very much eligible to apply to engage with a local lead principal investigator in Qatar, if they have a project that is of mutual interest,” continued, Habayeb.“The lead investigator can be any university or research institutes with a registered research office in Qatar . As long as there is a registered research office, the institute has all of the required approvals. This includes Qatar University, University of Doha for Science and Technology HBK or any such universities in Qatar and they can collaborate with an international partner. This can also be any research institutes operating in Qatar,” he pointed out.Habayeb noted that the role of QRDI is to connect the academic community in Qatar with the academic and research community in other countries. As for the current collaboration with the Thai Embassy in Qatar he said that there are plans on further engagements with the Thai Embassy with their support to host further delegations and also to potentially build research partnerships with Thai universities.Thai Embassy had presented three innovative ideas to transform waste materials to value added products at a special event attended by QRDI officials and academics from various institutes in Qatar.“Qatar has its own national priorities, ranging from sustainability, water, agriculture, food security and climate change. Qatar National Research Fund, the research arm of QRDI, has a programme around the national priorities and there are calls that are regularly published to address specific challenges. These are all different specific areas that have been co-designed with the local ministries in Qatar to address specific problems,” added, Habayeb.

Emphasising the need for greater efforts to provide better healthcare for women and children, Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has launched a new campaign “Innovating Care. Transforming Lives” to raise awareness about its efforts to advancing women’s and children’s health in Qatar and the region.At an event yesterday at the Sidra Medicine, the top administrators of the hospital highlighted the journey of the organisation so far and the achievements that have touched the lives of several people for better in the country and beyond.The campaign also showcases how Sidra Medicine is making significant strides in personalised, research-driven care, contributing to Qatar’s National Vision 2030.Dr Iyabo Tinubu-Karch, CEO of Sidra Medicine said: “This campaign highlights our innovative approach to healthcare and clinical research which has allowed us to be firmly entrenched into the hearts and minds of our patients, their families, the community and other stakeholders as a trusted healthcare partner and leader.”“We are proud today to share with you the exciting launch of our new awareness campaign, which highlights Sidra’s commitment to transformative and innovative care to women and specialty care and rare disease care in children.“This is all done under the umbrella of personalised, research-driven medicine. We want our campaign to echo our commitment to our patients and to remind families in Qatar that we are their trusted health partner,” explained the CEO.Dr Ahmed al-Hammadi, acting chief medical officer at Sidra Medicine said: “This campaign is a testament to Sidra Medicine’s dedication to not only transforming the lives of women and children through exceptional healthcare, but also to propelling Qatar’s Vision 2030 forward. By pioneering research-driven care and nurturing a new generation of medical experts, we are building a healthier future for Qatar and establishing ourselves as a global leader in healthcare innovation.”The CEO and the CMO also shared updates on Sidra Medicine’s international patient programme and how it has become a trusted healthcare partner for families. Since 2018, the hospital has cared for over 1,000 patients from around the world. Sam Lock, the executive director, Commercial Development at Sidra Medicine, added:“We are thrilled to launch our new awareness campaign ‘Innovating Care. Transforming Lives’, which embodies our core mission to push the boundaries of medical innovation for cutting-edge, personalised care.Through this campaign, we are reinforcing Sidra Medicine’s unwavering commitment to achieving optimal patient outcomes and solidifying Qatar’s position as a hub for medical excellence.”

The embassy of Thailand in collaboration with Qatar Research Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council presented several innovative ideas that can turn waste materials into value-added products, at a special event Wednesday at the latter's headquarters.The seminar and mini-exhibition titled 'Labs, Farms, and Bottles: Turning Waste into Treasures' highlighted methods, knowledge and expertise in upcycling and waste-to-value addition by some Thai researchers.The event also gave insights about Thailand’s research in transforming waste into valuable products, showcasing items crafted from upcycled materials, such as plastic bottles and medical waste, and sustainable textiles derived from agricultural by-products such as water hyacinths and banana trees.Welcoming the gathering, Dr Hisham M Sabir, executive director, Scientific Research Programmes Office, QRDI Council, said it was a special gathering under a common goal of changing the future through research and innovation.“Preserving the natural and built environment of Qatar is, of course, a top priority that cuts across all our timely activities. This is particularly so given Qatar's sensitivity to a number of environmental issues. Research aiming at improving the environment is at the top of our agenda,” he explained.“As we progress towards our national goals, we strive to maintain a benign environmental impact of our research. As a result, innovative measures will improve all elements of our environment.”Ambassador Sira Swangsilpa noted that Thailand’s research expertise in several fields can address some of the environmental challenges that Qatar is facing.“We have the know-how and the expertise and the four decades of our cordial diplomatic relations with Qatar can help both countries in further collaborating for the betterment of both the countries. This seminar is an effort in this direction and we look forward to enhancing our relations further.”The keynote speakers were associate professor Dr Singh Intrachooto, chief advisor, Research and Innovation for Sustainability Center and professor of building innovation at Kasetsart University, associate professor Dr Prakit Sukyai, deputy head of the Department of Biotechnology of Kasetsart University, and associate professor Dr Chanakarn Ruangnarong, vice dean, Faculty of Home Economics, Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi.The speakers highlighted Thailand's pioneering research in transforming waste into valuable products. Three of them presented several ideas and products and pointed out how these innovations can help fight environmental issue and provide sustainability in several areas.They highlighted how home-grown approaches and innovation developed by Thai universities respond to societal and environmental needs. They showcased how the universities' research addresses challenges in Thailand, especially on the issue of construction, industrial and food and agricultural waste by transforming them into usable materials and products for various fields namely product design and cosmetics. These models of sustainability can be replicated in other parts of the world, they added.

Thailand is willing to offer its expertise and know-how to Qatar in recycling waste materials to value added products and is eying better collaboration in several areas of research and innovation, Thai ambassador Sira Swangsilpa told Gulf Times.“We have over four decades of cordial bilateral relations with Qatar. If Qatar is interested in joint projects, we can share our know-how and expertise and this will lead to further boosting the relations between both the nations,” he stated.The Thai envoy was interacting with Gulf Times on the sidelines of a seminar and mini-exhibition titled 'Labs, Farms, and Bottles: Turning Waste into Treasures' organised by Thai Embassy in collaboration with Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council (QRDI), Wednesday.Ambassador Swangsilpa noted that environmental challenges do not pertain to one particular country as it is a global issue and collective efforts and collaborations are needed to overcome them.“Sustainable development and environmental issues are some of the common issues for both the countries as well as for the whole mankind. We have researchers and scientists from eminent universities of Thailand. We have the know-how, the professors and scientists and Qatar has the right ambience and vision in sustainable development. So this can be turned into a great partnership and such collaboration can benefit both the countries,” he explained.The envoy noted that Qatar has the cutting edge research infrastructure and the vision to develop further innovations for the country, the region and beyond. “The Qatar National Vision 2030 for sustainable development is a great example of that strong vison and it is compatible with our project,” he continued.Swangsilpa stated that the research ideas presented at the event demonstrate the innovation of his country and highlight how Thailand and Qatar can cooperate more and take it to a higher level.He also noted that many of the value added products made from waste materials have already been commercialised and many are exported to countries such as the US, Japan, Sweden among others.“So our next step will be to exchange more ideas and more collaboration. Maybe we will invite experts and researchers from QRDI or Qatar Foundation to visit Thailand and universities to make it more tangible, and we can have some agreements in the near future,” he highlighted.The ambassador also added that Thailand is cooperating with Qatar in the areas of food safety, food security, medical research and many more.

Qatar has more than 2,400 projects registered with the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS), making it one of the highest performing countries in the Middle East in GSAS certification, Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (Gord) founding chairman Dr Yousef Alhorr told Gulf Times.GSAS is the Middle East’s first performance-based green buildings certification system. “We have more than 200mn sft of GSAS certified buildings in Qatar," Dr Alhorr explained while pointing out that all the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadiums are 100% GSAS-certified."Qatar’s iconic projects within Lusail City, Qatar Foundation’s Education City and Lekhwiya City are all GSAS-certified,” he stated. GSAS is the first integrated and performance-based system in the Middle East and North Africa region (Mena) for assessing and rating buildings and infrastructure for their sustainability impacts.The unique green building framework has been developed by Gord in collaboration with TC Chan Centre at the University of Pennsylvania, and School of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology, US, and other reputable houses of expertise.“On the master plan level, we have almost 1bn sft of GSAS-certified master plans. With its widespread adoption in Kuwait, GSAS is now the fastest growing green building rating system for new projects in the Gulf region,” said, Dr Alhorr.The official noted that GSAS is aimed at improving the design, construction and operations of buildings while also identifying sustainability challenges specific to Mena’s built environment.“Representing green building regulations within Qatar construction specifications, GSAS is mandatory for all government projects within Qatar and all private and government projects in Lusail City. All the museums under Qatar Museums are going through GSAS certifications."Similarly, in Qatar Foundation’s Education City, all the buildings are going through GSAS certifications along with many more entities like Qatar Energy projects,” explained the founding chairman of Gord.The core philosophy behind GSAS is to create a sustainable built environment that minimises ecological impact while addressing the specific social and cultural needs and environment of the Mena region.GSAS’ key objective is to create and promote sustainable built environment through a three-pronged approach that focuses on protecting the environment, conserving earthly resources and improving human wellbeing, all the while addressing the needs and concerns unique to the Mena region.GSAS framework draws best practices adopted from 40 different rating systems known regionally and internationally. Over the years, GSAS has made a visible difference in the way buildings are designed, constructed and operated in the region.Dr Alhorr also stated that over the years, there has been tremendous interest in the private sector to implement GSAS certification in their projects.“ We see that the private developers are very keen towards implementing sustainability as they frequently approach us to implement green building practices,” he added.