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Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), through its World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Healthy Ageing and Dementia, continues to expand specialist services for the diagnosis, treatment and support of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in Qatar.As a local and regional leader in dementia care, HMC is highlighting its services during World Alzheimer’s Month, marked globally this September under the theme ‘Ask About Dementia, Ask About Alzheimer’s’.Since the opening of Qatar’s first Geriatric Memory Clinic in 2012 at Rumailah Hospital, HMC has significantly expanded its dementia services to include additional clinics at Al Khor Hospital and Primary Health Care Corporation health centres in Al Sadd, Al Wajbah, Lebaib and Rawdat Al Khail.“All our Geriatric Memory Clinics are staffed by a multidisciplinary team comprising of geriatricians, specialist dementia physicians, psychologists, dementia care co-ordinators, specialist memory clinic nurses, occupational therapists, as well as neurologists, neuropsychologists and other allied healthcare professionals. We provide a truly comprehensive service and remain committed to improving dementia care in Qatar,” says Dr Hanadi al-Hamad, HMC’s deputy chief medical officer, Long-Term Care, Rehabilitation and Geriatrics.At the Geriatric Memory Clinics, patients 60 years and above with memory concerns are assessed using the latest diagnostic tools, including family consultations, physical examinations, blood tests, ECGs and brain scans. For those diagnosed with dementia, HMC provides post-diagnostic support to both patients and their families. Patients without dementia are referred to preventive services at the Specialised Geriatric Wellness Clinics, focusing on lifestyle changes to reduce risk.Services at the clinic also include input from the Geriatric Neuroscience Multidisciplinary Team for advice on complex conditions as well as the Memory Outreach home service that is offered to patients who are not able to make it to the clinic.A key service provided by HMC is the National Alzheimer’s and Memory Services Helpline – RAHA. Since its establishment in 2020, RAHA (4026 2222) has offered confidential and direct access to professional advice on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease to thousands of people.“The RAHA helpline is staffed by a skilled team with multilingual skills who provide support to callers. It is the only service of its kind in Qatar and through the helpline, we have seen an increasing number of families accessing dementia care support at our Geriatric Memory Clinic,” says Dr al-Hamad.Throughout September, HMC has planned a range of activities to promote active dialogue about dementia and educate the public about the condition. These include an information booth at Grand Mall in Asian Town on September 26, from 1pm to 10pm, where members of HMC’s geriatrics care team, speaking both Arabic and English, will be available to answer public questions about the symptoms and care of Alzheimer’s patients.The programme also features school competitions and a Leaders and Healthcare symposium where hospital leads and healthcare experts in Qatar will come together to learn about the latest developments in dementia treatment and management. This year, HMC will once again collaborate with the Ministry of Interior to host dementia awareness sessions for first responders including police and traffic department personnel.

In a significant step to further strengthen Qatar’s position in healthcare innovation, the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (DLMP) at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has officially launched Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) testing. This groundbreaking initiative represents a major advance in genetic diagnostics, enabling patients in Qatar to receive faster, more accurate diagnoses and highly personalised treatment plans tailored to each individual’s genetic profile. This new testing technology will benefit patients with genetic disorders, both adults and children, as well as those with certain types of cancer. Previously, blood samples for these patients had to be sent abroad for testing, a process that often required significant time before results could be obtained. WES is a cutting-edge genetic test that focuses on the exome, the regions of DNA responsible for coding proteins. Since most disease-causing mutations are found in these regions, WES provides powerful insights into unexplained illnesses, inherited conditions, and genetic risks affecting families. To conduct the test, a blood sample is collected, DNA is extracted, and advanced sequencing technology is used to analyse the exome. Sophisticated computer software then interprets the data, highlighting possible genetic causes of disease. Chair of DLMP at HMC, Dr Einas Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, stated: "This initiative underscores our commitment to integrating genomic medicine into patient care. By harnessing advanced sequencing technologies, we aim to provide more precise and timely diagnoses." She added: "This will transform the management of genetic conditions in Qatar and empower physicians to deliver truly personalised care tailored to each patient’s unique genetic profile." "The launch of WES at HMC fulfils a long-held vision to bring genomic medicine into routine clinical care in Qatar. We are no longer dependent on external laboratories; today we can deliver advanced diagnostics right here in-house," she added. Al-Kuwari stressed: "This achievement is not only scientific but a message of hope for families living with genetic conditions. It symbolises Qatar’s determination to stand at the forefront of precision medicine, building a healthcare system that is both world-class and compassionate." "And this is only the beginning. We will continue to advance until every patient in Qatar has access to the most innovative care possible,” added al-Kuwari. Under the leadership of Dr Moza Khalifa al-Kuwari, and supported by a highly skilled team of national specialised laboratory staff, the Molecular Genetics Laboratory within DLMP’s Diagnostic Genomic Division (DGD) spearheads the introduction of WES testing. The process has been validated according to international standards, including those of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). To ensure seamless integration, DLMP has invested in robust data infrastructure, including secure high-capacity servers, advanced computing power, and state-of-the-art cybersecurity, to safeguard sensitive information and enable rapid data analysis. The introduction of this advanced service will also help reduce the need to send patient samples abroad for genetic testing. Established in 2001, the Molecular Genetics Laboratory is among the region’s most advanced facilities, performing approximately 30,000 genetic tests annually and supporting national screening programmes, including premarital and newborn screening. Accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) since 2014, the laboratory continues to uphold the highest international standards. With the introduction of WES, HMC consolidates its leadership in genomic medicine, delivering cutting-edge care for patients while strengthening Qatar’s healthcare infrastructure.