Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), a national research institute of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), organised a series of awareness campaigns, focusing on breast cancer research, brain and diabetes.
QBRI’s community outreach programmes help bridge the gap between the scientific community and the public, inspiring greater academic interest in biomedical science and encouraging individuals to be conscious of their health. The institute organised a breast cancer awareness campaign in October, a diabetes awareness campaign in November and a number of youth-focused events around brain awareness in December.
Dr Hilal Lashuel, executive director, QBRI, commented: “Our community outreach and awareness campaigns represent essential elements of our strategy to engage the public as partners in our efforts to improve healthcare through the development of new approach for prevention, early detection and targeted and personalised treatment for diseases that affect the Qatari population.”
Among Qatari women, breast cancer diagnosis is projected to increase 60% over the next six years, necessitating more awareness of the disease and the research being conducted on its causes, prevention, and treatment.  To raise awareness about self-examinations and on research in the field, QBRI organised a series of public events and lectures in HBKU, Qatar University, and Villaggio mall.
QBRI launched a diabetes campaign around the World Diabetes Day. In collaboration with the Qatar Diabetes Association, QBRI scientists from its Diabetes and Obesity Research Centre discussed causes and treatments for the disease at a public event. QBRI scientists also shared their insights about the most promising research discoveries and clinical trials being conducted on the ways in which stem cells may be used to treat diabetes patients.
QBRI in collaboration with the International Brain Organisation and local institutions, organised a number of youth-focused activities for Brain Awareness Week. The primary objectives of these activities were to share the excitement around the subject of brain research and to encourage young students to pursue future careers in science and brain research. Events ranged from a pre-school event, to a Brain Talk competition encouraging 10-12 years old to create a 10-minute movie to discuss the parts of the brain.