tag

The Behavioural Healthcare Centre (Daam), member of Qatar Foundation for Social Work, has wrapped up its awareness campaign on the principle of respect.Launched in April and held in co-operation with the Qatar Scouts and Guides Association, the QatarDebate Centre, and Al Thuraya Planetarium – Katara, the campaign concluded its activities at Al Obaib Primary School for Girls, in the participation of Sustainable Development Goals Ambassadors, in addition to the schools taking part in the campaign.The awareness campaign involved 1,200 primary, preparatory, and secondary cycle students from 45 schools, offering students a comprehensive array of educational and awareness activities aimed at instilling in students the principle of respect.The campaign featured a variety of activities, including lectures on the importance of self-respect and the respect of others, a film screening, relevant readings, and interactive quizzes, along with a puppet theatre performance that addressed self-confidence and respect.Students participated in drawing and colouring activities as well as designed instructional posters on respect and social responsibility.The programme concluded with a screening of a series titled *Family Diaries, which highlighted daily positive behaviour.Achieving widespread reach and success, the campaign strengthened partnerships among educational and community institutions, underscoring the importance of joint efforts in promoting morality and forming a conscious and responsible new generation capable of giving back to the community and serving the country. – QNA

Behind Japan’s futuristic Expo showcase lies a deeper goal: turning its domestic pavilions into real-world incubators that would spark breakthroughs in healthcare, digital technology, and green solutions for the future.This strategy is anchored by two distinct pillars – resource circulation and regenerative medicine – each presented in highly interactive and functional exhibition spaces at the Expo 2025 Osaka.According to organisers, the Japan pavilion, themed “Between Lives,” serves as the epicentre of this national strategy. Its architecture, divided into unique Plant, Farm, and Factory zones, symbolises the concept of “circulation,” a principle deeply embedded in Japanese culture and craftsmanship.Masafumi Sugano, deputy commissioner general for Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) and director of the Expo’s International Office, told reporters that the pavilion operationalises cyclical resource management by tackling the issue of waste generated on-site.“Within the pavilion, we actually take rubbish, garbage, trash from the Expo site, we decompose it and turn it into clean water, and methane,” Sugano said. “Then we take the algae (developed from methane) and turn it into valuable products.”This functional system, he noted, shows how Japan interprets the circular economy, focusing not just on recycling, but on creating business-viable, productive systems that remain responsible to the global climate.“It shows how we interpret the circular economy in Japan, which is something that I’m sure would be interesting for Qatar,” he added.Sugano said the commitment to circularity extends to the structure itself, pointing out that the wooden panels used in the pavilion’s architecture are designed to be repurposed across Japan once the event concludes.Adding a playful touch to this environmental pledge, the pavilion also features an array of algae – 32 unique types – some represented as popular, adorable Hello Kitty characters, flourishing in a warmly lit “forest of the future”.Complementing the focus on green innovation, the Pasona Natureverse pavilion explores the future of healthcare, highlighting revolutionary regenerative medicine based on Induced Pluripotent Stem cells (iPS).iPS technology allows adult cells to be “reprogrammed” back to a pluripotent state, enabling scientists to differentiate them into any required cell type. This breakthrough, discovered by Nobel Laureate Dr Shinya Yamanaka in 2009, forms the basis of two groundbreaking exhibits.Carla Alonso from the Pasona Group presented the iPS Heart, an artificial heart model created by transforming some 200 million skin adult stem cells into beating heart muscle tissue.“What you see here is essentially an artificial model of a heart... beating completely by itself without any electrical impulse,” she said.While the exhibit currently displays only the heart muscle tissue, she said the goal is to use this technology within the next 50 years to completely reproduce whole hearts from a patient’s own cells, significantly reducing the high rate of rejection associated with traditional heart transplants.However, a more immediate application is the iPS Heart Muscle Sheet, which Alonso described as functioning ‘a little bit like a band aid’. She said this sheet is applied to cardiac tissue damaged by heart failure, where it re-integrates into the surrounding tissue and promotes regeneration.“In around two weeks, new capillary networks can be created and the heart can start to function normally again,” Alonso said. She noted that the technology is already further along; the company behind the specific exhibit, CUORIPS, has completed a successful human trial and has applied for government permission to begin making this a real treatment, positioning it for potential use far sooner than the full iPS Heart.The theme of transforming society continues at the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion, themed “Reborn,” which offers visitors a tangible glimpse into urban life in 2050.The interactive ‘Reborn experience’ route captures visitors’ individual health data via a body analysis pod, subsequently generating an avatar showing them their personalised health and lifestyle 25 years in the future. The exhibit pools Osaka’s collective wisdom, technology, and ideas on future cities, food, and culture, creating a powerful, personalized experience.From personalised healthcare stations like the Cell Design Station and Eye Care station to interactive projections of future cities, the Osaka pavilion highlights that Japan’s Expo presence is not merely about showcasing technology, but about defining, developing, and deploying the systems needed to support a thriving, sustainable, and healthy future society.

European shares were flat on Wednesday, with gains in heavyweight healthcare stocks offsetting the decline in the broader market, as investors fretted over a potential delay in the closely-watched US jobs data. The pan-European STOXX 600 (.STOXX), opened new tab held steady at 557.9 points, after posting its third successive monthly gain in September. Local bourses were mixed. Germany's DAX was down 0.5%, while the UK's FTSE 100 climbed 0.2% to an all-time high. Healthcare stocks jumped 2.7%, and Novartis gained 2.8%.

European shares eased on Tuesday as heavyweight energy and healthcare stocks lost ground, while investors weighed the potential impact of a US government shutdown that could delay the release of the closely-watched monthly jobs data. The pan-European STOXX 600 (.STOXX), opened new tab slipped 0.2% to 554.7 points, though set for its third successive monthly gain and a more than 2% gain for the quarter. Heavyweight oil and gas stocks dipped 0.8%, tracking declining oil prices. France's TotalEnergies and the UK's BP fell more than 1% each. Healthcare stocks also shed 0.3%, with Denmark's Novo Nordisk and the UK's AstraZeneca down about 1% each. On the economic data front in Europe, the UK economy grew 0.3% in the second quarter, French preliminary inflation stood at 1.1% in September and German retail sales unexpectedly fell in August. Britain's ASOS slid 11.4%.

European stocks retreated on Thursday under pressure from losses in the healthcare and industrials sectors in early trading, with focus on remarks from a number of Federal Reserve (US central bank) policymakers and data scheduled later in the day to clarify the path of monetary policy.The pan‑European STOXX 600 index fell 0.5 percent to 551.3 points.Most European stock exchanges also opened lower, with both Germany's benchmark index and the UK's FTSE 100 down 0.4 percent.The healthcare stocks index dropped 1.1 percent, with German medical technology firm Siemens Healthineers falling 6 percent.British medical device maker Smith and Nephew also slipped by 1.1 percent.Losses also included the construction and building materials sector, which fell 1.1 percent, and the industrial goods and services sector, down 0.6 percent.

The State of Qatar participated in a ministerial roundtable meeting on healthcare in the Gaza Strip, hosted by the United Kingdom, on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.The State of Qatar was represented by His Excellency Minister of Public Health Mansour bin Ibrahim Al Mahmoud.His Excellency stressed that the humanitarian catastrophe facing civilians in the Gaza Strip as a result of the Israeli aggression constitutes war crimes, emphasizing that the world cannot remain silent in the face of this tragedy.His Excellency called for immediate action to stop the aggression, save lives, and protect health facilities and their workers.His Excellency also highlighted the role played by the State of Qatar, its leadership and people, in standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the State of Palestine as a whole, and its commitment to assisting them. He also noted that Qatar continues its efforts to find a just solution despite the treacherous attack launched by Israel against the State of Qatar in a desperate attempt to undermine any hope for peace and an end to the war.During the roundtable meeting, participants heard firsthand testimonies from doctors and healthcare workers who worked in the Gaza Strip, who provided vivid accounts of the tragedies they experienced there.The roundtable was attended by the British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, HE Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and President of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Dr. Younes Al-Khatib.His Excellency Minister of Public Health also participated in a number of events accompanying the meetings of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, including the event 'One Vision, One Future: Rallying Global Momentum on NCDs for Generations to Come,' organized by the Sultanate of Oman, 'The Political Economy of Implementing Primary Health Care: Key Policy Shifts,' organized by the Republic of Kazakhstan, and "A Global Movement to Improve Survival and Reduce Suffering for Children with Cancer and other Catastrophic Diseases,' organized by the Republic of Uzbekistan and the World Health Organization, in addition to other entities.

As the fastest-growing healthcare provider in the MENA region, Apex Health stands out for its exceptional patient-centered care with earning five recognition awards.Apex Health, a subsidiary of Estithmar Holding and one of the Middle East and North Africa’s leading healthcare providers, has achieved a remarkable milestone in its journey, with the organization itself, along with four of its hospitals recognized among the winners of the Arab Hospitals Federation’s Gold Initiative Certificate - Star of Excellence in Patient Experience. Each hospital achieved distinction in its own category, reflecting Apex Health’s unwavering commitment to delivering patient-centered excellence care across its hospitals.The recognition took place during a ceremony held on Wednesday, under the patronage and in the presence of distinguished leaders, with the participation of the Arab Hospitals Federation, the support and knowledge contribution of The Beryl Institute, and the presence of leading healthcare institutions from across the Arab world.Following a rigorous evaluation by a jury panel in collaboration with The Beryl Institute. These hospitals stood out among 267 participating healthcare institutions from 10 countries for their excellence in safety, quality, innovation, governance, and the overall patient journey. For Apex Health, this achievement reinforces its reputation for operational excellence, innovative practices, and a culture that places patients at the heart of everything it does.Apex Health’s celebrated itself and four of its hospitals in both Qatar and Iraq, each earning top positions in multiple categories within the Gold Initiative Certificate. In Qatar, The View Hospital, and the Military Medical City Hospital, managed by EWS stood out, while in Iraq, Al Imam Al Hassan Al Mujtaba Teaching Hospital in Karbala Governance and Al Nasiriya Teaching Hospital in Dhi Qar Governance were distinguished.Apex Health itself was honored with a Recognition Award under the Gold Initiative Certificate – Star of Excellence in Patient Experience. This distinction highlights the group’s dedication to delivering trusted, high-quality healthcare, building a resilient and sustainable health system, and fostering innovation across all its projects and partnerships.The View Hospital, in affiliation with Cedars-Sinai, has been recognized for its leadership in clinical excellence and continuity of care, and earned Gold in both Safety and Quality of Care and Continuity of Care and Transition Management. A reflection of its commitment to ensuring every patient’s journey is safe, smooth, and supported at every stage.The Military Medical City Hospital, managed by EWS, has been acknowledged for its progressive approach to healthcare innovation, with achieving Silver in Sustainability, Innovation & Technology, reflecting its efforts to integrate advanced solutions, adopt sustainable practices, and continually enhance the way care is delivered.Al Nasiriya Teaching Hospitall, Dhi Qar Governance, Iraq, in recognition for its strong governance and organizational culture, received a Silver in Leadership, Governance, Policy & Culture, highlighting its commitment to effective leadership, clear policies, and a supportive environment that puts patients first.Al Imam Al Hassan Al Mujtaba Teaching Hospital, Karbala Governance، Iraq, has been recognized for its high standards in clinical safety, and was awarded Silver in Safety and Quality of Care, underscoring its dedication to protecting patients, upholding rigorous safety protocols, and delivering reliable, high-quality treatment.Commenting on the achievement, Joseph Hazel, Group Chief Executive Officer, Apex Health, said: “This is a proud moment for our entire team. Earning a Recognition Award along with five certificates in Qatar and Iraq across different categories is more than recognition, it’s a reflection of our people’s dedication, our patients’ trust, and our vision to set new benchmarks in healthcare across the MENA. Our success is strengthened by trusted international partnerships and strong relationships with government entities which have been instrumental in advancing the quality of care we provide, and this belongs to every member of our hospitals who works tirelessly to deliver care that is safe, innovative, and deeply personal.”The recognition from the Arab Hospitals Federation underscores Apex Health’s vision to shape a healthier future through trusted care, advanced technology, and global partnerships with delivering measurable improvements in healthcare outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Universal healthcare coverage for all citizens is a challenge for all governments. The better the treatment and freer the access, the longer the waiting lists. There is invariably a case of finite resources trying to meet demand that is effectively infinite, or at least inexorably rising. Healthcare inflation has outstripped general inflation, reaching 10-12% in many countries, and people’s expectations of both availability of health services and the standard of care rise. Also, increased life expectancy can mean that people are living longer, but sometimes with chronic conditions. Qatar is pursuing a smart policy of boosting private sector healthcare and health tourism while maintaining universal coverage. Can it square the circle of combining quality and accessibility? So the approach of Qatar merits attention. Health is a national priority beneath the Qatar Vision framework. State provision is of a high standard, through the Hamad Medical Corporation. The HMC runs the country’s principal not-for-profit hospital, the Hamad General Hospital, which is to be the subject of a major three-year renovation programme. While services will remain open during the refurbishment, some outpatient and inpatient services will be relocated. Renovation will include upgrading buildings for inpatients. There will be single rooms, higher standard facilities and investment in new technology. During the renovation, Ministers have perceived an opportunity to maintain or enhance health services for citizens and expats, while boosting the private sector and developing health tourism. In May HE the Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim al-Mahmoud met representatives of the insurance sector, as part of a policy to encourage the development of health insurance. In 2013-2015 the Government set up a state-run insurance scheme called SEHA, but there were problems with costs and over-claiming, subsequently it perceives partnership with private insurance providers as a superior approach. Meanwhile, the Government has signed contracts with four private sector hospitals to provide treatment for uninsured patients on public hospital waiting lists. The state will pick up the cost in full. This reduces waiting lists while helping to develop private sector provision, in terms of both quality and scale. An additional advantage in developing a strong private medical sector is to make Qatar a favoured destination for health tourism. This was confirmed at the Qatar Economic Forum 2025, held in May, where HE Saad bin Ali al-Kharji, the Chairman of Qatar Tourism, said that positioning Qatar as a destination for health tourists was a strategic aim. Major investment in hotels, transport facilities and other key aspects of infrastructure in preparation for the FIFA World Cup in 2022 means that facilities in the country are world class. In addition, there is a high-quality, well-regarded national airline. Private sector hospitals have high-standard facilities and highly skilled doctors, helped by a favourable visa programme. Health spending has reached 12% of the national budget, which is high by international standards. There is investment in technology, including specialist AI applications that can help with diagnosis and treatment. Qatar is preparing a medical visa programme, to smooth the bureaucracy for a health tourist visitor. Omar al-Jaber, head of the Tourism Development Sector at Visit Qatar, has stated that this measure will encourage visitors for wellness and preventative treatments at resorts, as well as advanced medical procedures such as surgical operations. All the elements are in place for Qatar to compete directly with other nations that attract health tourists, such as Singapore, Dubai and Thailand. This sector is long-established globally, and has become diversified to include wellness destination and places for recuperation. Qatar now hosts a centre, the Zulal Wellness Resort, run by the Chiva-Som branded wellness retreat, established in Thailand 30 years ago. In terms of tourism, Qatar has been successful in attracting visitors for stopover tours, helped by the high reputation of Qatar Airways and the geographical location of the Gulf in between major continents. Health tourism and wellness stays would typically be longer than the four or five days of a stopover visit. Attention has been paid to every aspect of a tourist’s visit: transport infrastructure, quality of hotels, friendliness of welcome, cleanliness of resorts, personal security and quality of attractions. There is a target for the Qatar state to attract 6mn-7mn visitors by 2030, with tourism reaching 15% of GDP. Helped by investment in healthcare as well as infrastructure for vacation visits, this is looking like a feasible target. The author is a Qatari banker, with many years of experience in the banking sector in senior positions.

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.