ATLS conference will give a boost to trauma care in Qatar

The establishment of the Qatar chapter of Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) for Middle East and North Africa is expected to be a key outcome of the upcoming first Qatar Surgical Society Symposium and the third annual ATLS for MENA Conference. The event, to be held from February 25 to 27 by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), is to be attended by as many as 250 healthcare professionals, including physicians, surgeons, paramedics, nurses and educators. It will open with the first clinical research workshop in emergency, trauma and critical care at the Ritz-Carlton Doha, followed by a two-day scientific programme at Hajar Auditorium, HMC Education Centre. The workshop, symposium and conference will feature 35 speakers from the MENA region, North America and Europe, including international experts well-known for their published articles. The programme offers a multidisciplinary approach to various topics, including trauma, transplant, colorectal surgery and general surgery, as well as research. “This event is a very important one, especially since we are working towards establishing an integrated trauma system in Qatar that will be verified as a Level 1 Trauma Centre by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma,” said Dr Hassan al-Thani, head of HMC’s Trauma Service and chairman of the scientific committee. Dr Abdulwahab al-Musleh, chairman of the organising committee, pointed out trauma is a leading cause of mortality in the region for people below the age of 40, coming ahead of cardiovascular causes. “Under the National Health Strategy, prevention is a primary goal along with the development of our trauma system. To achieve these goals we are pursuing the education of healthcare professionals and working to raise public awareness about trauma in general, as well as issues of road safety,” Dr al-Thani explained. Noting that this is the first time the ATLS meet for MENA will be held in Qatar, he highlighted the importance of establishing Qatar’s own ATLS chapter. “We have already previously established ATLS courses in Qatar —one of the first countries in the Middle East to do so, following Saudi Arabia — but these courses were considered part of the Saudi chapter. Establishing our own chapter will allow the work of the HMC staff to be recognised on a higher level, not only locally but also internationally.” Dr Rifat Latifi, professor of surgery and medical director of the Trauma Service, said the establishment of an ATLS chapter in Qatar will add more value to the educational process: “The idea is to raise awareness on the role of the Trauma Service and the progress that we have made in advancing trauma care in Qatar since it was established in 2007,” he said. “We are building on the progress that we have achieved and the recognition that the Trauma Service has received internationally, such as those from Arab Health and the World Health Organisation. The event will add to our own knowledge and help us in the process of our academic transformation. It will also be a step forward towards verification as a Level 1 Trauma Centre,” Dr Latifi added.