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A Qatar University professor has developed a “Mobile Smart Shower Room” that can be a great support for the elderly and the people with special needs.The “Mobile Shower Room” invented and designed by Dr Ahmed Elkhatat , section head , Research Planning and Coordination, Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, and a teaching assistant in Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, QU, received great response when it was presented at the 8th edition of the programme ‘Stars of Science,’ an edutainment television programme by Qatar Foundation. The dedicated team to the programme worked on converting this design into a practical product that was tested on ground.Dr Elkhatat, in the latest edition of QU research magazine, notes that simple and daily issues that are considered a normal part of life for some people, such as showering, in some cases, for people who suffer from certain disabilities may be considered a source of anxiety and embarrassment.He highlights that the ‘Smart Shower Room’ was carefully designed to provide a safe, comfortable and integrated showering experience while maintaining the dignity of its users.The ‘Smart Shower Room’ is distinguished by a strong building that uses fiberglass supported with epoxy and solid services, which achieves the maximum safety for users who may have balance problems. The system provides an emergency key to stop the process of showering immediately if any problem occurs to ensure more safety.Furthermore, the design is focused on providing comfort to users by providing warm water and air from the beginning and controlling the temperature of water to the user’s wish is possible. The room is endowed with the design of its front door, which is designated for entry and exit. It is also possible to control the height of the chair, which is provided with marvellous arabesques. The warm upper cover is made from a water-resistant substance to provide a feeling of safety and privacy in addition to avoiding suffocation.The room is equipped with a group of technically developed systems and machines. As for the mechanical aspect, there is a developed hydraulic system to pump water. It consists of a central pump to draw water from a tank equipped with a sensor to measure the water temperature and a sensor for the water level. The pump power is controlled by a separate frequency transformer to pump water efficiently through twenty bath nozzles.There is also an air system responsible for the hot air flow that contributes to the process of drying after the shower. This system consists of a central fan that produces air with a certain flow heated through a strong heating element. Hot water is blown across special nozzles connected to a group of pipes. As for the electrical aspect, the room is equipped with electrical circuits and a control unit that enables the system to work efficiently. The room is equipped with a touch user interface, which enables the user to control several options to make this experience easier.The mobile shower room is not only for providing the user with safety and comfort, but also for promoting self-confidence and a feeling of independence, which restores the user’s sense of dignity as well as the ability to live normally and independently.

An innovative research conducted by scientists from Qatar University Young Scientists Centre (QUYSC) has unveiled the significant role of multidisciplinary chemistry informal research programmes in fostering research competencies and attitudes among aspiring scientists.The study highlights the effectiveness of an innovative research-based learning model that employs chemistry-based research projects in developing high school students’ research competency and attitudes.The chemistry-based research projects, according to an article on QU Research Magazine, were carried out as a part of an informal programme, in real-world laboratories on 330 high school students integrating different branches of chemistry, including physical, organic, inorganic, electrochemistry and biochemistry, in addition to other science and engineering areas.The programme was primarily successful in developing students’ research self-efficacy and fostering their research competencies in multidisciplinary science. Further research targets to analyse the long-term effect of the multidisciplinary research experiences on their attitudes toward higher education and research-oriented careers that can contribute to a knowledge-based economy.This study was conducted by QUYSC as part of the “I am a Researcher” programme, for national students to nurture their research-based knowledge through advanced research experiences under the mentorship of research experts and scientists. The findings published in journal of chemical education in the American Chemical Society shed light on the transformative impact of these programmes in shaping the future of scientific research.The chemistry subjects harmonise with many science and engineering disciplines, thus providing immense research scope in various multidisciplinary topics. The data were collected using a mixed method by performing an indirect assessment on the programme effectiveness, conducting surveys on students, research assistants and the research faculty mentors involved in the programme.The study, “The Role of Multidisciplinary Chemistry Informal Research Programmes in Building Research Competencies and Attitudes,” aimed to investigate the benefits and outcomes of informal research experiences in the field of chemistry. By examining the perspectives of participating students and analysing their research competencies and attitudes, the research team gained valuable insights into the effectiveness of multidisciplinary approaches in nurturing scientific talent.Through a carefully designed research programme, students were exposed to a wide range of interdisciplinary research projects that combined principles from various science and engineering branches, particularly on chemistry sub-disciplines. These projects encouraged participants to explore innovative approaches, collaborate across disciplines and think critically to solve complex scientific problems.The findings of this research study have implications for educational institutions, policymakers, and organisations invested in promoting scientific research. It underscores the importance of fostering multidisciplinary collaborations, providing informal research opportunities and promoting research competencies and attitudes among young scientists. This study serves as a call to action for the scientific community to further invest in multidisciplinary chemistry informal research programmes and create an ecosystem that nurtures the scientific potential of aspiring researchers.Prof Noora al-Thani, the study’s principal investigator, emphasised the significance of the research and added: “This programme provides invaluable opportunities for aspiring scientists to engage in hands-on research experiences and develop the necessary skills and mindset for a successful scientific career.”

As the new academic year commences for schools following Indian stream of studies, concerns over the lack of seats in schools have been raised by several parents. Despite all the Indian schools resuming the new academic year 2024-25 this week, there are a large number of parents knocking on the doors of schools, looking for admissions for their children.This is in spite of the increase in the number of Indian schools as well as the huge surge in the number of seats available. Availability and affordability are still major issues for many when it comes to school admission for their children. While the situation was more or less similar in the previous years, this year in particular has seen the demand for admission shooting up. This is primarily attributed to the increasing number of families coming to the country. In addition, affordability is another concern as most of the newcomers are looking for admission in schools which are more 'affordable'.A parent who recently brought his family to Qatar told Gulf Times that he has been approaching various schools for admission for his son and daughter for quite some time. “It has been a big issue for me for the last one month or so. Still I have not got admission for them though one school has informed me that they would consider my elder one. However, there is no word from any school for admission for my second child who is looking for admission in KG 2. So I have not applied yet for the TC from their school back in India.”Another parent whose child is already studying in a school, is unable to find admission for his second child in the same school. He explained: “I had applied for admission well on time but still I have not got any positive response. When checked with the school, I was told that they would inform if there are vacancies. This is what is happening and I don’t know what to do.”A family who recently came to Qatar is still on the lookout for the admission for their children. “Our problem is that we can’t afford high fees and we had approached many schools that charge 'reasonable' fees. Still, we have not been able to find any school and we are in a dilemma now. We may have to send the children back home if we are not able to get admission, “ said the father.Though Gulf Times had approached several schools asking for their comments on the current situation regarding admission, we have not received any response.However, one source from a leading school said that the demand for admission is so huge that they cannot cope with it. “The demand is such that we receive 10 times or even more applications against the prevailing number of seats. So this becomes a huge challenge for the school,” he added.

Family wellbeing is the cornerstone of a child's academic success, according to some Qatar Foundation (QF) academics."When parents neglect their own mental health, it creates a ripple effect that permeates every aspect of their child's life, including their education and ability to learn," said Dr Moustafa Ahmed, an educator and the wellbeing co-ordinator at Qatar Leadership Academy, a QF school.In an article on QF website, Dr Ahmed recognises the vital interplay between familial dynamics and academic success and has witnessed firsthand the repercussions of parental mental health struggles on students. He says that from increased stress and anxiety to difficulties in concentration and academic performance, the consequences are far-reaching and undeniable.“Parental stress or anxiety can manifest in a child's classroom behaviour. It can be linked to heightened emotional reactivity, difficulty in concentrating, social withdrawal, a tendency towards perfectionism and fear of failure, or even physical symptoms like headaches and stomach aches,” he explained.“Additionally, decreased motivation, behavioural issues, physical restlessness, and academic regression may be observed. Recognising these manifestations is crucial for educators to provide nurturing support, fostering a positive learning environment for the child's overall well-being and academic success.”Dr Ahmed remains steadfast in his belief in the power of advocacy and intervention. “Children learn resilience, problem-solving skills, and stress management by observing how their parents navigate challenges. Positive parental modelling fosters a growth mindset, builds self-efficacy, and significantly influences a child's overall attitude and engagement in the learning process,” he said.Dr Khalid J al-Naama, director of Family Research and Policy at Doha International Family Institute, explores why children mirror the status of their parents' wellbeing.“The home is the child’s first learning environment, and their parents or guardians are their first teachers. Young children often learn by imitating the adults in their life, and learned responses are elicited by stimuli,” he noted.Dr al-Naama underscores the importance of early intervention to foster a healthy family environment as the best way to mitigate the impact parental mental health issues have on their child’s ability to learn.“When children are over the age of 18, any processing of parental mental fitness is retrospective, and they are more likely to focus on changing the negative patterns they’ve adopted as a result,” he said.“But with younger children, the responsibility is on the parents as caregivers to understand and mitigate how their mental status is affecting their kids. They need to prioritise getting themselves the help they need to learn how to regulate and prevent future transference to their kids.”He explains how psychologists will focus on educating the parents as part of "psycho-education" sessions, where they will explain how the parent can deal with their mental health issues.“It is important to note that no one is immune to mental health issues. The more we talk about it, the more we can dispel the stigma around mental health issues in society and normalise getting help,” added Dr al-Naama.

A collaborative research between Qatar University (QU) and ExxonMobil is using drone technology to study the dugong population dynamics in the northwest coast of Qatar, home to the second largest population and the largest gathering of the marine mammal in one location.The research team comprised Dr Mohsen al-Ansi al-Yafei and Dr Yousria Soliman, associate professors in the Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences at QU, ExxonMobil's researcher Ismail al-Sheikh and a number of assistant researchers.The Gulf is home to a large population of dugongs also known as Sea Cows. Previous studies conducted in the Gulf have estimated the numbers of dugongs at approximately 6,000. The studies that extended for a period over 13 years and covered the coastal waters of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE, spotted the largest single group of dugongs ever reported in the world, numbering about 674, between Bahrain and Qatar.Although the number of dugongs in the Arabian Gulf is the second largest in the world after Australia, there are no accurate estimates of the numbers of dugongs in the region.According to an article by Dr Soliman published on the latest edition of the QU research magazine, using an unmanned aerial vehicle, the current study aims to explain the conditions that support the single largest gathering of dugongs in northwestern Qatar. The study highlights that currently the dugong population in the location is estimated to exceed 1,000. The study extended for more than three years and included repeated aerial surveys using drones.Another intensive seasonal marine survey monitored changes in the quality and density of sea grasses, which represent the main feeding grounds for dugongs. The observed changes in the population density over the study period was related to births, deaths, changes in habitats, fishing and boat accidents. The population age structure was also evaluated by measuring the ratio of calves to adults, as it is considered one of the indicators that help predict the extent of the increase or decrease in numbers of dugongs in the future.An accurate count of dugongs is crucial to the goal of their management and to understanding the dynamics of the populations inhabiting the area. Obtaining an accurate count of the number of animals is difficult, especially in the marine environment. This is due to the difficulty of counting, as observers do not see the animals because they are covered, either by water or plants, or they respond to the presence of observers and leave the place before they are seen. Since dugongs are spread over wide areas, trying to count their numbers is very difficult. emote photography technology using drones provides a useful tool for measuring population density in an effective and more accurate way.Since the survival of sea cow populations depends on the quality and density of sea grass habitats, the researchers also conducted quantitative and qualitative measurements for changes in sea grass habitats over several different seasons to determine the extent of change in these habitats, which are considered as home to sea cows. Understanding the dynamics of dugong populations and how they respond to the changing marine meadow habitats is one of the keys to successfully managing and thus conserving marine life and dugong population.

Qatar’s drive for sustainability can be supported through blockchain technology by creating an efficient energy marketplace, a Qatar Foundation (QF) scientist noted.“Blockchain technology is a decentralised digital ledger that uploads and presents data in a transparent and secure manner, using a network of computers to approve transactions without the need for a central authority,” said Dr Amani Boumaiza, a scientist at Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (Qeeri), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University.“However, it is now being used across a variety of fields – such as healthcare and real estate – and Qeeri is coupling it with Artificial Intelligence to create an efficient energy marketplace. It is aiming to achieve this by encouraging people to shift to renewable resources and reduce reliance on non-renewable energy through energy trading,” explained, Dr Boumaiza.According to the scientist, as a secure, transparent, and efficient way to share data, blockchain has the potential to transform everyday transactions across a variety of fields.She continued: “Blockchain is important as it is helping to drive sustainability. The technology will offer new, innovative ways to reduce carbon footprint – which is also one of the main goals of Qatar National Vision 2030,”Dr Boumaiza uses the community housing at Education City as an example, as this is the project’s test bed. There are 623 houses and most of these have Solar Photovoltaic installations, allowing sunlight to be converted into electricity.She highlighted: “In this situation, for example, I produce energy from my roof. Whenever I produce an excess of energy, I can share this energy or sell it to my neighbours, for which I would get tokens as a reward. I could use those tokens, for example, to reduce my energy consumption invoices.“Trading energy among peers means that if I have an excess of energy, I can sell it to my neighbours at a competitive price, compared to the price on the market. We are trying to not go through the main utility grid, and so we are creating a decentralised paradigm. This helps consumers to have greater control over their energy choices and they do not have to rely solely on large companies for energy supply.”Dr Boumaiza noted that the idea of the blockchain is to automate the trade and exchange of energy through AI, as it can gather and analyse data from sensors, identify patterns, make predictions, and optimise energy consumption.“So, as a household, I will not care about what’s going on within the system – everything will be automated. And this automation uses ‘smart contracts’, which is an AI technology, where everything is coded in a separate file. And this smart contract is automated; it will orchestrate the trade, determine the price of the energy, and match the best buyers with the best sellers,” pointed out the scientist.Dr Boumaiza added that the Qeeri team is currently trying to encourage people to increase their use of green energy. “One method we are implementing is a system where individuals can trade in their revenue or tokens for incentives, benefiting both themselves and the environment. These incentives may range from reduced utility bills to vouchers for environmentally friendly products, resulting in a mutually beneficial outcome.”

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is going to play a big role for the next two decades or so, as what has been witnessed so far is just the beginning of a great revolution that is to unravel, a speaker at the Web Summit Qatar 2024 told Gulf Times.“Every software is going to be affected by AI and we will witness many more transitions and changes in the coming years,” stated Ragy Thomas, founder and CEO of Sprinklr – an enterprise social technology serving more than 1,000 enterprise brands globally.An innovative startup that provides a customer experience management platform, New York-based software company Sprinklr has already made a mark in the technology sector with its innovative software.“Sprinklr provides a single platform for large businesses to do their entire customer services right from marketing and advertisement and to giving feedback on one single platform,” Thomas explained.Many of the large companies in the world use the software for digital outreach. “Many of the social media ads use our platform. As many as 83 of the top 100 global companies use our platform. When you see the social media ads of a leading company, it is possible that the other side of the message is supported by Sprinklr,” Thomas remarked.“We have 26 offices around the world and customers from all over the world as our companies operate in every part of the world,” he continued.According to Thomas, Sprinklr integrates popular communication providers natively so the support teams can absorb both inbound and outbound voice calls with dexterity.“Sprinklr platform helps to reduce the average handling time and cost with the Sprinklr’s AI-powered omnichannel ticket routing, automated workflows and AI-suggested responses. It can shift away from robotic, impersonal messages to conversational bots that can drive meaningful conversations and resolve issues with minimal agent intervention. It also helps deliver humanised support that can delight customers,” he highlighted.

The secretary general of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy HE Hassan al-Thawadi, noted that Qatar’s stupendous delivery of FIFA World Cup 2002 was due to the self-belief in setting up goals and realising them.Al-Thawadi was interacting with Ayman Mohyeldin of MSNBC at the ongoing Web Summit Qatar 2024 Tuesday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.“What guided us all through the preparation to the World Cup was the unwavering belief in our ability as we set very ambitious goals which guided our team to achieve them. Our leadership believed and supported us thoroughly to realise our goals. We harnessed this opportunity to try to achieve every single aspect of that opportunity and finally delivered a great tournament,” al-Thawadi said.Al-Thawadi said that for 13 years, the entire organising team went through many difficult cycles and different challenges. “Every challenge we faced was an opportunity for us in achieving our goals. We had various difficulties but never ever did any doubt creep into our minds,” he noted.“It was the self-belief that took us forward despite criticism from various corners and cynicism that was raised against hosting the World Cup in Qatar. People raised several doubts about the compact World Cup, about the infrastructure as well several other aspects of the tournament. We entered into the process of hosting the World Cup knowing exactly what we wanted and what we can do,” explained, al-Thawadi.The official noted that building the bridges between the cultures was very important part of the whole effort. He said: “We were confident right from the beginning that we have a very talented population capable of accomplishing and achieving many things. It was the belief that the Arab World as well as the Middle East has the capability to set its own narrative and write its own story. In a sense, it was welcoming the entire world to be part of our story.”Al-Thawadi said that as a nation, Qatar always believes in the transformative power of sports and that is how the country approached the World Cup 2022.“We had hosted several major events but nothing of the magnitude of World Cup. We had worked with the previous World Cups, Champions League as well as Olympics to understand closely about major events and by 2022 we had a great team of workforce who had every idea of hosting the biggest sporting event in the world. Any major event that comes to Qatar will be elevated to the next level for the better,” he added.

Qatar will launch the third National Health Strategy later this year, announced HE Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, Minister of Public Health, Saturday while highlighting the transformation in healthcare in the country over the last decade.“As we close our 2nd National Health Strategy (2018-2024) which delivered positive changes to our patients, we look forward to launching our 3rd National Health Strategy later this year which will elaborate on the health targets set by the Third Qatar National Development Strategy (2024-2030) towards realising the Qatar National Vision 2030,” stated Dr al-Kuwari.The health minister was delivering the opening remarks at the 10th Middle East Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare taking place at Qatar National Convention Centre.Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, witnessed the opening ceremony of the forum, which is the largest of its kind in the region.As the forum marks its 10th anniversary, Dr al-Kuwari said that during the past 10 years of the Middle East Forum, Qatar’s healthcare system has undergone a remarkable transformation journey.She said : “Today we celebrate a decade of an inspiring, innovative and transformative collaboration between Hamad Medical Corporation and the Institute for Health Care Improvement (Boston) that has transcended borders and systems and that has connected thousands of healthcare leaders and practitioners from across the world with the singular aim of improving quality and safety for our patients and our healthcare workers.”“When most countries are used to steady growth, we have witnessed a phenomenal expansion in the health sector to match our population’s need and our country’s ambitions and plans. Our public and private sector beds have nearly doubled, and we have seen the addition of Sidra Medicine in 2016 and the Military Medical City Hospital in 2024. Our Primary Health Care Corporation opened 13 new state-of-the-art health and wellness centres, significantly improving primary care provision in the community,” explained the minister.“Today we celebrate our commitment to excellence and our wonderful journey which has led Qatar being recognised as a global benchmark for excellence and innovation. But more importantly today we re-affirm our unwavering ambition to deliver the best care possible for every patient, every time,” continued, Dr al-Kuwari.The minister highlighted that in 2023, Qatar had five hospitals rank among the top 250 academic medical centres in the world with two achieving top 100 ranking highlighting the commitment to combining patient care, medical research, and health education to achieve the best outcomes and experiences for the patients.Dr al-Kuwari also pointed to the resilience of Qatar’s healthcare combating Covid-19. “During Covid-19 our whole of government approach, the strength and resilience of our health systems and our wonderful healthcare workers ensured that we had one of the lowest fatality rates in the world and had close to zero hospital acquired Covid infections to patients and staff. These efforts have been recognised globally ranking Qatar’s Covid response amongst the best in the world,” she noted.“During the World Cup 2022, our state-of-the-art health services, our public health initiatives in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and our Healthy Cities accreditation made the Qatar 2022 World Cup one of the most healthy World Cups in history despite being at the tail end of the Covid-19 pandemic,” emphasised the minister.“Our training and improvement programmes now cover the whole sector in Qatar, with more than nine private sector hospitals participating in the improvement training and practical programmes in 2023. We have localised the online courses and are providing these in Arabic to make it accessible to all Arabic countries and are currently establishing training opportunities and partnerships for health providers within the Mena region,” added the minister.

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, attended Saturday the opening of the Middle East Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare.The Middle East Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare, now in its 10th year, is a collaboration between Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and the US-based Institute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI). It is the biggest event dedicated to healthcare quality improvement in the regionHE Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, Minister of Public Health; Dr Hans Henri P Kluge, regional director for Europe, World Health Organisation (WHO); Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean; Kedar Mate, president and chief executive officer, IHI; and Dr Don Berwick, president Emeritus and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement were present on the occasion along with several health ministers from many countries.Held at Qatar National Convention Centre, more than 2,500 healthcare professionals from Qatar and the region are attending this year’s three day forum both in-person and online.Delivering the opening remarks, Dr al-Kuwari highlighted the positive and transformative effect the Middle East Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare has had on Qatar’s healthcare landscape over the decade.“Today we celebrate our commitment to excellence and our wonderful journey which has led Qatar to being recognised as a global benchmark for excellence and innovation. But more importantly today we re-affirm our unwavering ambition to deliver the best care possible for every patient, every time,” said Dr al-Kuwari.The minister went on to highlight that the partnership with IHI was born out of the aspirations of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the first National Development Strategy (2011-2016) set by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, and the guiding principles of Qatar’s first National Health Strategy developed and launched by Her Highness Sheikha Moza, in her capacity as chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Supreme Council of Health and Vice Chairperson of the Supreme Committee of Health at that time.The opening ceremony also featured addresses by Dr Abdullatif al-Khal, deputy chief medical officer, HMC and co-chair of the forum; Kedar Mate and Dr Don Berwick. They highlighted the importance of a sustained commitment to quality and safety in healthcare to deliver the best patient outcomes.The other speakers at the 2024 forum included Dr Amelia Latu Afuhaamango Tuipulotu, chief nursing officer of the World Health Organisation and Jason Caldwell, world record breaking ocean rower and endurance athlete.The 2024 edition of the forum is focused on five learning tracks for the attendees: Quality and Safety; Population Health; Leadership and Innovation in Healthcare; Applied Improvement and, Person-Centred Care.Over the last 10 years, the forum has driven quality improvement and transformation across the healthcare landscape and has seen 26,000 attendees over the decade of the event; 444,000 professional education learning hours for healthcare professionals and 800 expert speakers form Qatar, the region and internationally.There is also an accompanying poster presentation and an exhibition at the forum which will conclude Sunday.

A group of researchers have advocated three theories that focus for data-driven decision-making in healthcare.According to a study published on QScience.com, ‘Data-driven Decision-making: A Review of Theories and Practices in Healthcare’, these theories can help form well-judged decisions in healthcare and make them applied in various contexts.The authors of the article, Chloe Ile, South African Medical Research Council; Charlene Ile, Explore AI, Cape Town, South Africa and Christine Ile, Livingstone Hospital, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, categorise Classical Decision Theory; Ottawa Decision Support Framework and Bayesian Decision Theory as three methods to make use of data effectively, highlighting the benefits of such practices for better healthcare decisions.“ Use of data for healthcare decision-making has numerous benefits, including increasing knowledge of user demographics and needs enabling adequate planning of healthcare resources and services, and providing a roadmap of decisions made to ensure stakeholder accountability,” state, the authors in the article. However, they note that despite these clear benefits, frameworks and theories guiding decision making in healthcare remain under-utilised and therefore they have presented these decision-making theories that focus on data.Classical Decision Theory- the study of choices to be considered when making a decision- and its modern iterations emphasise the decision-making process and the use of data in this process. It is divided into descriptive and normative decision theories. Normative Decision Theory points to the prerequisites that should be in place to reach rational decision-making. Descriptive Decision Theory seeks to explain and predict how people make decisions. In both, three key elements are described: the decision, the decision-maker, and the decision-making process.Ottawa Decision Support Framework was developed based on expectancy-value, decisional conflict, and social support theories. It was designed to address health decisions which needed to be made because of a new circumstance or diagnosis, requiring careful deliberation due to unknown benefits and risks and needing more effort during the deliberation and implementation phase. This theory is employed when the decision relates to new diagnoses or treatments or when extensive deliberation is needed in uncertain circumstances.Bayesian Decision Theory considers existing knowledge and cost functions in decision-making. Uncertainty is inherent in the human experience and can be observed in almost every role, task, and function resulting in the implementation of solutions without a full understanding of the problem or decision. Therefore, it is a statistical decision model and aims to support decisions made in the face of doubt by shedding light on the uncertainties involved in the process.The study concludes that the healthcare system is a data-rich environment capable of supporting data-driven decision-making at both the individual level for patients or clients and the system level for organisations or national entities. “Data acquisition, storage, and processing are becoming integral pillars within the health sector, especially as fields such as telemedicine, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence continue to grow in popularity. To handle these data volumes and support data interpretation, Big Data analytics must be used with decision theory to move from observation to an informed conclusion or treatment plan,” concludes the study.

In an effort to provide universal health coverage and ensure primary healthcare to the low and middle income countries in the Global South, the Middle East Council on Global Affairs and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with the support of Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have launched the Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative.The event held at the Sheraton Grand Doha on Monday, was attended by HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, HE the Minister of State for International Co-operation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lolwah Rashid AlKhater, former minister HE Hessa al-Jaber, and Dr Chris Elias, president of the Global Development Division at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, among others.The two-day event is also attended by representatives from nine low-and-middle-income countries in Africa and Asia, alongside international experts and key stakeholders from Qatar, including the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Qatar Fund for Development, Qatar University, and Hamad Bin Khalifa University.The initiative aims to develop a collaborative platform for countries in the Global South to address their healthcare challenges, find actionable solutions to enhance their healthcare systems, support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, and address unmet healthcare needs.“Over the last decade, Qatar has developed enhanced primary healthcare services and infrastructures, focusing on prevention and early intervention to reduce the burden of disease and improve health outcomes,” HE Dr al-Kuwari noted in her remarks. “Through this initiative, in line with the internationally agreed global health strategies, we can collectively contribute to strengthening primary healthcare in the Global South, investing in its infrastructure, its workforce and its resources.”“Together we can build healthier, more resilient communities, and achieve the vision of health for all,” she added.“Focusing on public health issues in the Global South aligns very well with the development priorities of the country and the strategic vision of the Qatar Fund for Development,” HE al-Khater said.She affirmed Qatar’s commitment to supporting access to primary healthcare in the Global South, while ensuring that this support improves healthcare and development outcomes.A high-level panel discussion on *Enhancing Primary Healthcare Access in the Global South: Challenges and Solutions* was held on Monday.Assistant Minister of Public Health Dr Salih al-Marri, director of the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Programme Management at the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office Dr Rana Hajjeh, member of the WHO’s Africa Regional Immunisation Technical Advisory Committee Deo Nshimirimana, African Leaders Malaria Alliance executive secretary Joy Phumaphi, and Dr Elias of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation participated in the panel discussion.Middle East Council on Global Affairs director Dr Tarik Yousef moderated the discussion which explored how Qatar, drawing from its own experience and role at the WHO and other international organisations, can support countries facing challenges in healthcare accessibility.At the discussion, Dr Elias noted that “over the last 20 years, the world has cut child mortality in half”.“Unfortunately, in the last decade, we’ve seen that progress slow down,” he continued. “To get back on track with reaching the Sustainable Development Goals, we need a more comprehensive approach that addresses the needs of community health workers, and I’m optimistic that through new partnerships like the one launched today in Doha, offering leaders from the Global South a platform to voice their priorities and challenges, we can once again accelerate progress.”Concluding the panel, Dr Yousef outlined the plan of action for the following two days, and added: “Our role is to facilitate these discussions and see how we can collectively help through this platform, which emphasises knowledge sharing, to identify and establish an agenda for the Global South by the Global South in shaping future health outcomes.”

Primary healthcare is the foundation for a healthy society and the cornerstone of the health system, HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari noted on Monday. In her opening address at the launch of the Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative, HE Dr al-Kuwari stated that primary healthcare provides comprehensive and holistic care not only for the curative aspects bust also for the preventative measures. “The health system in Qatar has, over the past decade, developed and strengthened primary healthcare services and infrastructure, with a focus on prevention and early intervention, with the aim of improving health outcomes for patients and enhancing the quality of life in general,” she said. “Strengthening primary healthcare services in the Global South is thanks to the unlimited support of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for the health sector in the country.” “Qatar’s globally recognised network of comprehensive primary healthcare services is a strong example of a well-organised medical care system in which the health sector stands ready, through state programmes to support low- and middle-income countries, for partnership and for the exchange of experiences and training,” HE Dr al-Kuwari added. The minister also referred to the challenges faced by several countries in the health sector due to various issues. “Despite the great improvements that have occurred over the past decades, obtaining primary healthcare, even basic health services, represents a challenge in a number of countries due to geographical distance, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of trained medical staff,” HE Dr al-Kuwari said. “The situation has deteriorated due to conflicts, environmental problems, lack of resources, and poor management and guidance that have made the situation worse.” As for the Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative, the minister hoped that “this initiative, which is fully in line with internationally agreed global health strategies, will be able to contribute collectively to strengthening primary healthcare in low- and middle-income countries, and invest in their infrastructure, workforce and resources to enable individuals and communities to take charge of their health and well-being.”

The visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Qatar has set the stage for taking India-Qatar relationship to much higher level across all domains of co-operation and laid the foundation to explore opportunities in some new areas, noted Vinay Kwatra, the Indian foreign secretary, yesterday.He was addressing the media in Doha along with India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) joint secretary (Gulf) Assem R Mahajan, joint secretary and official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal and Indian ambassador Vipul, on the sidelines of the two-day visit. Modi had an audience with His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the Amiri Diwan yesterday and was accorded a ceremonial welcome. He also met with His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and on Wednesday met HE the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohmmed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani.Kwatra said that the Indian premier thanked His Highness the Amir for taking care of the welfare of the Indian community in Qatar and discussed various areas of collaboration between Qatar and India. “The prime minister had a successful visit to Qatar and it included discussions on co-operation in new areas such as space, technology and innovation. Both sides held delegation-level discussions and restricted talks. The discussions covered a wide array of topics including economic co-operation, investments, energy partnership, space collaboration, urban infrastructure, cultural bonds and people-to-people ties. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues,” explained Kwatra.“Both leaders held discussions on areas of co-operation including trade partnership, investment co-operation, and energy partnership, issues related to regional security, cultural affinity and people-to-people ties. The two leaders focused on the need for strategic investment and strategic partnership in the field of energy and technology. They also discussed the topics of national and international importance. The prime minister also invited His Highness the Amir to pay a visit to India,” continued Kwatra.According to the Indian foreign secretary, the bilateral trade between both the countries stands roughly at $20bn. “The discussions focused on strong investment co-operation that India and Qatar have; strong and vibrant Indian diaspora living in Qatar; the multifaceted partnership in energy which includes energy trade and energy supply chain contributing to the field of energy security,” he highlighted.Kwatra said that Indian prime minister during his meeting with His Highness the Father Amir congratulated him for his visionary leadership that has paved the way for the development of Qatar in the past decades and laying the foundation for strong India-Qatar bilateral relationship.His Highness the Father Amir commented that India and Qatar share an unwavering bond empitomised by mutual trust and co-operation and appreciated the role of Indian diaspora in Qatar. “On the sidelines of India Energy Week held in Goa recently, the two countries signed an agreement for 7.5mn metric tonnes per annum LNG from Qatar to India for two decades starting from 2028 onwards. This long-term partnership goes way back to 1999 and remains robust and future oriented,” added, the foreign secretary.

WOLF - the renowned German makers of watch winders, watches and storage boxes - is celebrating its 190th anniversary at the ongoing Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition 2024.Making its debut is Silver box, a tribute to founder Philipp Wolf I's original creations and a major attraction at the WOLF booth, part of Fifty One East pavilion.Marking WOLF's 190th anniversary, the silver-plated box has an engine-turned pattern, a LusterLoc treated deep blue ultrasuede interior and customisable removable inserts for watches, jewellery, and other valuables.A standout this year is the bespoke Churchill safe, tailored by WOLF artisans to the buyer's preferences in leather, hardware colour, and interior configurations. After being showcased at DJWE, the unique creation will be moved to Fifty One East for a 6-month display.The Silver box is inspired by the original silver boxes Philipp Wolf I crafted in his workshop in Hanau, Germany. The most beautiful box for the dresser or coffee table, featuring multiple inserts for the precious items. From watches and jewellery to cufflinks or pens, it is the perfect way to protect the legacies. It is silver plated with engine-turned exterior pattern and beautiful hidden piano hinged lid. It features multiple option jewellery or watch trays which can also be completely removed to use simply as a box.“To say that I am proud of what we, as a company, have achieved would be a big understatement. The business has continued for five generations, 190 years, with many ups and downs, but always with a singular vision of making great product and taking care of the people who work in the company. I am humbled by how hard they work and care, it is an honour to work with such dedicated people. The future looks very exciting...here’s to the next 190 years,” said, Simon Wolf, CEO, WOLF.For safeguarding the most precious belongings, WOLF stands as the most intelligent choice. While conventional safes merely shield the possessions, a WOLF safe or cabinet goes beyond, ensuring that the watches are not just secure but impeccably wound and ready to wear using patented watch winders, individually set and controlled by WOLF’s bluetooth app, which count turns per day, unlike others which merely estimate rotations using time. WOLF’s curated collection of safes and cabinets, meticulously designed to cater to the discerning individual, offer the choice of size, finish and interior configurations for the watches, jewellery and valuables.

TUDOR, the renowned Swiss watch maker is showcasing some of its latest models at the ongoing Doha Jewellery and Watches exhibition 2024.Situated at the Fifty One East pavilion, visitors can spot some of the most elegant time pieces by the renowned watch maker, including the new Black Bay 41 mm steel case as well as the TUDOR Royal that were unveiled at the Geneva's Watches & Wonders 2023.The Black Bay GMT 41 mm steel case features the latest technical and aesthetic evolution, highlighting its new whimsical opaline dial and TUDOR Royal with two more exciting dial variants joining the range: Chocolate brown and Salmon.Clients can also discover novelties from the past summer, including the new Pelagos FXD which pays tribute to decades of TUDOR watches on the wrists of US Navy divers. Complete with fixed strap bars, a titanium case, a high-performance Manufacture Calibre and a unidirectional elapsed-time rotating bezel, it comes as the ultimate modern “Milsub”.TUDOR has introduced the newest Black Bay, the latest technical and aesthetic evolution of the emblematic diving watch with a burgundy bezel, featuring evolved design elements, a “T-fit” clasp and is a master chronometer.The original Black Bay first launched in 2012 with a burgundy bezel returns in a third evolution foreshadowing the aesthetic and technical future of the line. This emblematic design in the TUDOR collection is another example of TUDOR's expert command of one of the industry's most demanding standards in terms of chronometry and resistance to magnetic fields. The Black Bay brings together cutting-edge watchmaking technology with design elements inspired by TUDOR’s nearly seven-decade heritage of making robust professional diving watches.TUDOR presents a new version of its Black Bay line in steel with a fixed bezel. All fitted with Manufacture Calibres, the models come in four sizes, with a five-link bracelet and clasp with rapid adjustment.The Black Bay 31/36/39/41 models bring a unique aesthetic to the Black Bay line. The curved cases feature a combination of finishes that elevates the watch in a contemporary fashion and offers a design language that slightly departs from the brand’s iconic tool watch spirit to embrace a sophisticated, versatile, unisex chic look and feel.With its integrated metal bracelet, notched or diamond-set bezel and automatic movement, the TUDOR Royal range is the epitome of versatile and affordable sport-chic, and now there are two more exciting dial variants joining the range: Chocolate Brown and Salmon.TUDOR has expanded the dial range of the Royal to include radial-brushed salmon and chocolate brown dials that offer an unexpected and exquisite aesthetic. The Royal range offers self-winding, sporty and chic watches with integrated bracelets that are as affordable as they are aesthetically sophisticated. Boasting first-class technical performance and a refined aesthetic, this line sits at the crossroads between classic and sports watches.

Fifty One East has introduced the latest addition to its portfolio, Annamaria Cammilli, at the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) 2024, which concludes Sunday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre.With more than 40 years of expertise, the brand is a leader in jewellery making, embodying 100% Made in Italy production and exclusive designs. Rooted in goldsmith specialisation and inspired by Florence's artistry, Cammilli's identity thrives on unconditional excellence.Notably, Cammilli's jewels feature a unique finish, "Aetherna," blending shiny and silky effects for lasting depth. The Maison offers eight sophisticated shades of 18-carat gold, contributing to the worldwide acclaim of its creations. Sculptural forms define collections like Couture, Dune, and Firenze, showcasing Cammilli's recognisable, three-dimensional aesthetic.Cammilli's jewels stand out on the international scene for their strong artistic component, recognisable in the original design and unmistakable sculptural appearance of the volumes. A three-dimensionality emphasised by the special velvety finish of the gold surfaces Aetherna, giving life to unprecedented plays of light and shadow on the Maison's 8 sophisticated shades of gold.The expert hands of Cammilli's designers mold unprecedented shapes in wax, generating true miniature sculptures: this is the secret of the extraordinary three-dimensionality of Cammilli jewelry, of volumes that convey the illusion of constant movement.The first shape carved in wax is subsequently replicated through lost wax casting, which allows the sinuous shapes resulting from the hands of the creative team to be enhanced and imprinted in gold. In this process, sculptural skills, decades of experience, creative flair and meticulous attention to detail come together to create ever new and unexpected forms, the direct result of an artistic talent that cannot be reproduced or imitated.The three-dimensionality of the shapes is enhanced by the alternation between the polished surfaces and the special velvety finish of gold that gives the jewels an original and recognisable aesthetic impact. Aetherna is the exclusive gold finishing method that has always distinguished Cammilli's jewels: a secret recipe handed down over time, resulting in a silky appearance that remains unchanged over time.There are Cammilli's famous eight colours of gold. An expedient to expand the creative possibilities by playing with different shades, and at the same time allowing each woman to choose the nuance that best suits her personality and skin tone. The colors available are sophisticated and different from each other: eight unique shades, ranging from the timeless Yellow Sunrise to the unusual Black Lava.

Rolex, the most sought after luxury time machine, is showcasing one of its latest collections at the ongoing Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition 2024, at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre.Stationed at the Fifty One East pavilion, the new Rolex creations are the ones unveiled at Geneva's Watches & Wonders 2023. Highlighting the perpetual pursuit of excellence, the selection features the GMT-Master II. This elegant time piece is available this year in two new versions – yellow Rolesor and 18ct yellow gold – with a Cerachrom bezel insert in grey and black ceramic, an entirely new colour combination.Another splendid and stunning Rolex machine is the new Sky-Dweller, the watch for world travellers, which is now offered, in an 18ct white gold version on an Oysterflex bracelet and two new dial colours: mint green and blue-green.The Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II also signals the return of 18ct yellow gold to the model. The first is a yellow Rolesor version combining Oystersteel and yellow gold, whereas the second is crafted entirely in this precious metal.Firstly a two-colour, 24-hour graduated monobloc Cerachrom bezel insert in grey, a new shade and black ceramic. On the dial, the name ‘GMT-Master II’ is in a powdered yellow colour. These new versions are fitted on a Jubilee bracelet, equipped with an Oysterlock clasp and the Easylink comfort extension link.The new versions of the GMT-Master II are driven by calibre 3285, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, enabling it to display the date and an additional time zone in 24-hour format, as well as the hours, minutes and seconds. Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.With its two time zones and annual Saros calendar, the Sky-Dweller is an elegant and trusted companion for world travellers. The range has been updated with numerous enhancements illustrating the role that excellence plays even in the tiniest details.This watch is offered, in particular, in an 18ct white gold version on an Oysterflex bracelet. It is the first time that a version of the Sky-Dweller combines this precious metal, which is returning to the range, with the black elastomer bracelet. The other two variants unveiled introduce two new dial colours for the model. The white Rolesor version fitted on an Oyster bracelet, features a mint green dial, a colour reserved until now for the Datejust. And the variant fashioned in 18 ct Everose gold is endowed with a blue-green dial.The Sky-Dweller is now equipped with calibre 9002. An evolution of calibre 9001, this new movement includes some of the major innovations that Rolex has brought to its movements, including the Chronergy escapement. Calibre 9002 enables the Sky-Dweller to display the date and the month, as well as an additional time zone in 24-hour format, and the hours, minutes and seconds. The Sky-Dweller carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.