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The Ned Doha, a members' club and hotel in the heart of Doha, is set to open its doors in mid-November, right in time for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Located in the former Ministry of the Interior building, The Ned Doha is on the Corniche waterfront, with views over the Arabian Gulf, city parklands and the neighbouring Doha Palace. Originally designed by the acclaimed Lebanese architect William Sednaoui in the 1960s, the 500,000sq ft site now has members’ spaces, 90 bedrooms and 12 suites and seven restaurants, plus a health club with spa, gym, 30m outdoor pool and event spaces. The Ned Doha is set over five floors with architecture by David Chipperfield Architects and interiors by Soho House Design. The team used The Ned London as their inspiration to create a ground floor Atrium with a live performance stage at its heart, surrounded by restaurants. Digitally generated image of The Ned Doha, as seen from the backwater. The Ned Doha general manager, Niels Kristensen told Gulf Times during an exclusive preview Thursday that "We are planning to open to the public in mid-November in time for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 opening match, with a full house. "The Ned is a model created in 2017 by Soho House founder and CEO Nick Jones that we had quite good success in London. We are also bringing a members’ club, we spent nine months to create this community. The fourth floor area is purely for the members, who can access the members’ areas in Ned London, and in Ned mid-town New York. We are bridging the cultures here, in Europe and other places. "The view from the fourth floor here is spectacular, it reminds me of the view in Brooklyn overlooking Manhattan. The view of West Bay is stunning and the location here is amazing and also it is an old 1970’s historic building. You can notice that in some of the furnitures and the fittings,” he said. In another nod to the original Ned, green Tinos marble has been used throughout the ground floor areas. Outside, a lush oasis-in-the-city garden has been created, with water features, space for contemporary sculptures and a pergola design to provide sun-dappled shade. On the rooftop, Ned’s Club Upstairs acts as a beacon of 70s glamour, with a warm wood palette, touches of gold, statement furniture, silk rugs and modern lighting. There is a stage which will feature live music and entertainment, and views overlooking the West Bay and the Diwan. The Ned has a total 90 bedrooms ranging in size from Cosy, Medium and Large, including 12 suites, all of which have outdoor balconies. The rooms channel a glamorous 1970s design, with silk drapes, plush velvet woven fabric headboards and marble furniture. The original coffered concrete ceilings of many rooms have been retained and restored to keep the original character of this landmark building. The Ned Doha is home to the Corniche Hall, with its own private entrance, for hosting large scale conferences, events and standing receptions for up to 600 people. Filled with natural daylight, the hall is arranged around a landscaped courtyard which also provides additional outdoor event space. Ned’s Club Pool is situated in a 1970s inspired area with private cabanas overlooking a bold green 30m pool, terrazzo flooring and green and white striped daybeds. The Malibu Kitchen is a Californian inspired, air-conditioned, outdoor restaurant will be open to the public all year around. Hadika is a Levantine restaurant focusing on Mezzeh family style food is situated in a beautiful shaded outdoor garden with three private dining rooms. The Ned Doha art collection brings together 150 works of local and regional artists, many of which have been commissioned specifically. The art collection is curated by the co-founders of Mathqaf, Wadha al-Aqeedi and Elina Sairanen. Ned’s Club Membership starts at $6,500 with no joining fee for founders and $7,500 with a $1,000 joining fee thereafter. Membership enquiries can be had at [email protected]  

Breast cancer awareness day was marked at Marble Medical Center, Lusail, on Wednesday  with participation from a number of physicians, plastic surgeons, health educators, and activists. October 13, is the breast cancer awareness day. Gynaecologist Dr Maram Karkar introduced the topic to the audience and stressed the importance of early detection through periodic breast self-examination, a simple procedure which could be conveniently done at home, in privacy. Speaking to Gulf Times, Dr Karkar explained that about 80% of the early detected cases of breast cancer are identified by the women concerned themselves. Early detection helps to achieve the cure in about 95% of cases. "Self-examination should be routinely performed on the fifth day of the menstrual cycle after twenty years of age. It takes about five minutes and helps to reassure about the natural texture, size and shape of the breasts. However, it does not replace a doctor’s examination or the mammogram, especially when there is a family history. "It is very important to note that one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes around the world, and a woman dies every 13 minutes from this disease. Also, one to three out of every eight women are exposed to the disease at some point in their lives. Most cases occur between 30 to 44. "Danger signs appear after 35, because of obesity, alcohol abuse, smoking, and lack of movement and exercise. A mammogram is recommended every two years for women over 45. Some blood tests can be done for women with a family history or the risk factors. There are some foods such as tomatoes, garlic, onions, green tea, and turmeric that protect and fight breast cancer," she added. Plastic surgeon Dr Sara Ghorbani, with over 18 years’ experience in cosmetic surgery, spoke about recent research on breast cancer risks and told Gulf Times that breast implants does not increase the risk of the disease. Instead, in women who have breast implants, breast cancer can be diagnosed in earlier stages, zero or stage one as they undergo regular examinations. Qatar Cancer Society's (QCS) specialist health educator Noor Hamad spoke about the importance of breast cancer awareness campaigns and the positive results achieved in Qatar. She told Gulf Times that “the month of October is the breast cancer awareness month and QCS is keen to raise awareness about the disease as it is widespread among women. "I advise women from 20 to 44 to consult their doctor in case of any pain or if they notice any change during their periodic breast self-examination. Women above 45 have to undergo a mammogram examination. QCS campaigns have reached schools, universities and health centres, government institutions. So women’s awareness about breast cancer and its prevention has increased considerably and they are willingly attending regular examinations,” she concluded.