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Lulwa al-Marri, the first Qatari woman to complete a full Ironman, has come back from a knee injury with a blend of modern medical precision with holistic, patient-centred recovery at the Korean Medical Center (KMC).A triathlete, cyclist, mountaineer, and presenter, Lulwa is no stranger to high performance. But when a knee injury abruptly pulled her out of training, she found herself confronting a different kind of endurance; the kind it takes to heal.Rather than opt for surgery or sit on the sidelines, Lulwa turned to KMC in Lusail, where a comeback plan was devised through a science-based system that focused not just on pain relief, but also on restoring mobility and enhancing performance.Her journey began with a full-body scan on the Exbody system, an advanced Korean innovation that uses motion analysis technology to understand how muscles, joints, and body posture work together, a statement explained.“This machine doesn’t guess or estimate,” Lulwa explains. “It showed me exactly what was going wrong, even in places I couldn’t feel yet.”The Exbody report revealed muscle imbalances and poor load distribution, a chain reaction from her knee injury that even affected her spine and hips. Armed with data, the KMC team built a recovery plan tailored to Lulwa’s unique biomechanical needs.Lulwa’s treatment at KMC was a hybrid of clinical innovation and traditional Korean therapies: shockwave therapy, cryotherapy, ultrasound-guided manual therapy, dry cupping, and acupuncture.“My first cryotherapy session? Really, really cold,” she laughs. “But I came out feeling like my body had renewed vitality, and I got addicted to KMC’s cryotherapy machine, the biggest I’d seen in the country.”KMC’s approach is rooted in its belief that movement is freedom; a philosophy deeply embedded within its Mobility care unit, which encompasses orthopaedics, rehabilitation, and pain management.“For most patients, mobility is about daily function,” says Dr Louis Holtzhausen, sports and exercise medicine physician at KMC. “But for athletes like Lulwa, it’s about reclaiming performance. That means optimising, not just treating, how the body moves.”What makes KMC different, Lulwa says, is the loop between data and feeling. “We’d do another scan after a few weeks, and the progress was right there. I wasn’t just feeling better. I was seeing clear proof that I was regaining my strength.”Guiding her recovery was Dr Youngwoong Back, head of the Spine & Joint Center at KMC and an expert in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. His focus wasn’t just on the knee, but the kinetic chain.“An injury is rarely isolated,” Dr Back explains. “At KMC, we look at the body as an integrated system. We aim not only to restore range of motion, but to correct underlying patterns and prevent recurrence.”For Lulwa, this meant learning new movement strategies that would protect her joints under pressure, crucial for an athlete always preparing for her next race.Today, Lulwa is back in training, but with a new kind of awareness. Her recovery at KMC was restorative on a deeper level. “So often, women, especially female athletes, are told that our pain is just part of the game, or worse, that it’s in our heads,” she says.“We’re expected to push through, to stay quiet, to bounce back fast. But at KMC, my symptoms weren’t minimised, they were measured. My body was heard. Every imbalance was treated as real, and every treatment was backed by data.”For Lulwa, that level of validation was transformative. “This wasn’t about returning to where I was. It was about returning stronger, smarter, and with a deeper appreciation for how my body works.”Her message to other athletes, especially women navigating injury and uncertainty during their recovery, is clear: “You don’t have to suffer in silence or settle for guesswork. Pain is your body’s way of communicating, and you deserve a system that listens.”At KMC, she found that system, one that combined clinical rigour with deep human insight.

Three people were injured when a medical helicopter crashed on a California highway last night. Local authorities reported that three people were in critical condition after the helicopter crash and were taken to hospital. One victim was rescued after being trapped beneath the helicopter. A California Highway Patrol spokesperson said the accident affected traffic, temporarily closing some lanes, warning that the road would be closed for an extended period of time. Last May, one person was killed, and two homes were damaged when a small plane crashed in the Simi Valley neighborhood of southern California.

The Qatar Metabolic Institute (QMI) at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has officially launched Cycle II of the Certificate in Obesity Management and Bariatric Care.The programme enhances healthcare workforce expertise and reinforces Qatar’s system-wide response to one of the nation’s most pressing health challenges - obesity.Cycle II deepens workforce capacity and multidisciplinary care under HMC’s leadership through QMI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC).Dr Dabia al-Mohanadi, director of the QMI and division chief of Endocrinology at HMC, stated: “Obesity is a complex and chronic disease that requires integrated solutions. This highlights the need for a coordinated national approach that extends beyond secondary and tertiary centres alone.“By embedding prevention and management into primary care and strengthening collaboration across all levels of care, we are building an integrated model that ensures patients have earlier access to interventions and continuity of support.”QMI, as a key arm of the National Diabetes Committee, is at the forefront of delivering Qatar’s National Health Strategy 2024-2030 Action Plan on Obesity, Diabetes and Modifiable Risk Factors for ASCVD. Cycle II of the Certificate in Obesity Management and Bariatric Care is a flagship project of this Action Plan, accelerating progress in building a skilled workforce.Dr Turki al-Ahbabi, head of Bariatric Medicine at the QMI, HMC, and deputy chair of the Scientific and Planning Committee, said: “We are redesigning care pathways, optimising referrals, and introducing a monitoring framework that tracks outcomes, referral trends, and patient and physician feedback.“Alongside this, we are strengthening the continuum of care—from lifestyle interventions to bariatric surgery—so patients receive the right treatment at the right time. Our goal is to improve access, reduce delays, and deliver more efficient, patient-centred care.”Dr Mohamed el-Sherif, consultant in Endocrinology and Obesity Medicine at the QMI, HMC, and chair of the Scientific and Planning Committee, said: “Cycle II has been designed to accommodate healthcare professionals from HMC, PHCC, and private sector partners, ensuring a broad and multidisciplinary reach.“Over seven months, participants will complete a CPD-accredited curriculum worth 42 Category 1 and 2, Category 3 credit hours, combining workshops at Al Sadd Health Centre, online modules accredited by the World Obesity Federation, and supervised clinical rotations at QMI’s Centres of Excellence.”The curriculum is delivered by more than 50 expert faculty across endocrinology, obesity and bariatric medicine, bariatric surgery, nutrition, and dietetics - equipping participants with practical skills they can apply directly in patient care. The programme is supported through educational grants from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly and will conclude with a graduation ceremony in May 2026.

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has opened the Geriatric Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Clinic at the Qatar Rehabilitation Institute. This pioneering initiative aims to provide advanced and comprehensive care for the elderly, support their independence, and enhance their quality of life.The new clinic offers specialised treatment programmes designed to improve muscle strength, flexibility, and balance.These programmes directly help to relieve chronic pain, reduce the risk of falls, and enable the elderly to carry out their daily activities with greater confidence, safety, and independence.Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Long-term care, Rehabilitation and Geriatrics at HMC, Dr Hanadi al-Hamad, said: “The opening of this clinic represents a valuable addition to Qatar’s healthcare system and an important step in supporting the elderly in the country. Through our advanced rehabilitation and treatment programmes, we help them maintain mobility, reduce the risk of falls, and improve their quality of life. The launch of this clinic also aligns with the goals of the Qatar National Health Strategy 2024-2030, which prioritises healthy ageing and integrated care, ensuring preventive, sustainable, and patient-centred services”.For her part, Assistant Executive Director for Clinical Services, Physiotherapy, Noora al-Madahka, emphasised the pivotal role of physiotherapists, noting that they are a cornerstone in supporting patients by providing knowledge and practical solutions that help the elderly stay active and continue to play an effective role in the community.She added: “The clinic provides an integrated treatment system that begins with accurate diagnosis and culminates in empowering the patient. Its key services include conducting a comprehensive and precise assessment of each individual case, where specialists focus on identifying the root causes of pain or impaired mobility, which is essential for developing an effective treatment plan”.Based on the assessment results, individualised treatment plans are developed, including specialised exercise programmes to strengthen muscles and improve joint flexibility. The services also focus on advanced balance training, specifically designed to reduce the risk of falls and boost the patient’s confidence in mobility. To manage chronic pain, manual and advanced therapeutic techniques are applied to alleviate symptoms and significantly enhance patients’ quality of life. The services also include comprehensive rehabilitation programmes for patients recovering from injuries or surgical procedures, such as fractures and joint surgeries, ensuring a safe and effective restoration of full functional ability.Health education is also a key component of the services offered by the new clinic. Patients and their families are provided with guidance and information to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and help prevent future injuries.

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity globally, despite significant advances in medical and surgical treatment. While modifiable risk factors (smoking, high blood cholesterol, hypertension, physical inactivity, obesity, and diabetes mellitus) can often be controlled through lifestyle changes and medical treatment, mental health also needs to be a key focus in the prevention and management of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).The heart and brain are in constant exchange; this connection plays a major role in how we experience and respond to stress. The activation of the sympathetic nervous system due to an acute stress reaction has a direct effect on the cardiovascular system, resulting in an increase in heart rate variability, respiratory frequency, blood pressure, and vasoconstriction of the blood vessels. These physiological changes can lead to long-term strain on the heart, contributing to hypertension, arrhythmias, coronary artery disease and other cardiovascular conditions. As we continue to explore holistic and integrative approaches to care, meditation has emerged as a promising, non-invasive tool for enhancing heart health since centuries. Meditation is a mind-body practice, a state of concentration and reflection that improves spiritual and emotional well-being, with the goals of achieving a state of inner peace, physical relaxation, and psychological balance. Neurophysiological and neuroanatomical studies suggest that meditation can have long-standing effects on the brain, which may have beneficial consequences for prevention of cardiovascular risk. Additionally, different forms of meditation (e.g., focused attention, mindfulness, loving-kindness and Transcendental meditation) will have different psychological and neurological effects. Most published studies report some improvements in levels of perceived stress, mood, anxiety, depression and quality of sleep. Therefore, integration of mind-body awareness, lifestyle modification, and contemplative practices like meditation offer a comprehensive approach to cardiac health.The American Heart Association acknowledges that Transcendental Meditation modestly lowers blood pressure and may serve as a helpful adjunct to traditional treatments. There is growing evidence that mindfulness and guided meditation could improve blood pressure regulation and cardiac stress biomarkers, providing a non-pharmacological complement to traditional hypertension and cardiovascular disease treatments. It was reported that not only in hypertensive patients but also in normotensive patients, regular practice of meditation reduces the ambulatory blood pressure levels. Meditation and mindfulness engage the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which relaxes and regulates the autonomic system, lowering stress and improving emotional regulation. Meditation, especially mindfulness-based training, has been linked to higher abstinence rates in smoking cessation programs. This may be due to better management of cravings and improved self-regulation—critical for reducing cardiovascular risk.Small studies suggest that meditation improves symptoms in people with irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) and enhances quality of life. One important indicator of heart health is heart rate variability (HRV), which reflects the dynamic balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic system is responsible for increasing heart rate, raising blood pressure, and releasing glucose into the bloodstream to support physical activity. In contrast, the parasympathetic system slows the heart rate and promotes nutrient storage, generally reducing physiological activity.One study found that heart rate fluctuations decreased during meditation, and the heart rhythm became regular. Conversely, before meditation, heart rate variability and fluctuations were higher. Heart Rhythm Meditation (HRM) is a unique form of meditation that engages in deep, slow, full breaths and focuses attention on the heart. This form of breathing stimulates the vagus nerve with greater intensity than a normal spontaneous breath, which then reduces the heart rate.Chronic stress releases glucocorticoids, which promote inflammation and atherosclerosis increasing the risk of CAD. Mindfulness practices have been associated with: Reduced cortisol levels, Decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines, Improved insulin resistance and lipid profiles. While percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is employed to relieve symptoms and improve outcomes in CAD patients, psychological factors—particularly patient anxiety have been shown to exacerbate CAD symptoms and potentially diminish the clinical effectiveness of PCI. Randomized controlled trials determined that the addition of psychosocial interventions, including meditation, breathing exercises, and physical relaxation techniques, into standard cardiac rehabilitation regimens improves outcomes among patients with CAD. Studies have shown that mindfulness effectively alleviates anxiety and improve sleep quality pre-PCI, which in turn results in higher PCI success rates, lowered hospitalization times, and reduced postprocedural complications. However, while early data is promising, more research is needed to establish meditation’s role in secondary prevention.In clinical practice, meditation should not replace guideline-directed medical therapy but can be considered a reasonable and empowering adjunct to cardiovascular risk reduction strategies. Encouraging patients to participate in their own wellness—physically, emotionally, and mentally—may improve adherence, outcomes, and overall quality of life.This World Heart Day: “Don’t Miss a Beat”. As we celebrate World Heart Day, let’s remember that every heartbeat counts. Empower yourself and others by embracing holistic approaches to support heart health and live a more balanced healthy life.

Director of Medical Relief in the Gaza Strip Dr. Mohammad Abu Afesh revealed that Israeli occupation forces have ordered all health and medical institutions, along with their staff, to immediately evacuate Gaza City, which is currently witnessing an intensified military operation and relentless airstrikes across its neighborhoods. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Abu Afesh warned that the shutdown of health institutions in Gaza City, especially international ones, would deal a devastating blow to an already crippled healthcare system, ravaged by systematic targeting and destruction since the onset of what he described as a genocidal war. Despite mounting threats and the blockade on medical supplies, Abu Afesh affirmed that Medical Relief will continue its operations in Gaza City. He noted that Israeli forces committed a compounded crime by destroying the organization's main headquarters on Omar Al Mukhtar Street in the Al-Rimal neighborhood, as well as another facility in Tel Al Hawa in the southern part of the city. He further stated that nearly 1,600 humanitarian and medical workers have been killed since the beginning of the war on Gaza, calling for international accountability for Israel's crimes against medical personnel and institutions. Abu Afesh pointed out that intense Israeli bombardment in northern Gaza has forced the closure of four hospitals since the beginning of the month, halting services for thousands of wounded and sick individuals whose numbers continue to rise due to the ongoing military campaign. He stressed that forced evacuation orders, mass displacement, excessive use of firepower through aerial and artillery bombardment, and the detonation of armored vehicles in residential areas have severely impacted essential health facilities in Gaza City. Many have been evacuated, while others have ceased functioning due to the blockade, mobility restrictions on staff, and direct targeting of facilities or their surroundings. Abu Afesh reported that over 15,000 injured and ill individuals require urgent medical evacuation and access to proper treatment, yet evacuation efforts remain painfully slow and insufficient given the scale of casualties, especially as the assault on Gaza City intensifies. He urged all international and UN bodies to take immediate action to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza and ensure unrestricted access for medical teams to support what remains of the healthcare system and prevent its total collapse. Gaza's health sector is facing a suffocating crisis, with continued restrictions on the entry of medicines and medical supplies, ongoing targeting of medical personnel through killings and arrests, and the systematic destruction of major hospitals amid the escalating Israeli aggression on the besieged enclave.

Medical sources reported that 20 Palestinians have been killed since dawn today due to Israeli occupation forces' airstrikes and shelling across the Gaza Strip.According to the same sources, 12 of the martyrs were transferred to Al-Shifa Hospital, 3 to Al-Maamadani Hospital, 4 to Al-Aqsa Hospital, and 1 to Nasser Hospital.The Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, has killed 65,283 citizens, the majority of whom are children and women, and injured 166,575 others, according to a preliminary toll. A number of victims remain trapped under the rubble and in the streets, as ambulance and rescue crews cannot reach them.

An elderly British couple released after almost eight months in detention in Afghanistan are expected to fly back to the UK on Saturday. Taliban authorities arrested Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, in February as they were returning to their home in Bamiyan province, central Afghanistan.Following concerns for their health, the pair were freed on Friday and flown to the Qatari capital Doha. They are expected to leave for London on a commercial flight on Saturday after completing medical checks.The Reynoldes married in Kabul in 1970 and have spent almost two decades living in Afghanistan, running educational programmes for women and children. They also became Afghan citizens. When the Taliban returned to power in 2021, they remained in Afghanistan against the advice of the British embassy.The Taliban have not explained why the pair were detained, and Qatar brokered the negotiations for their release. Speaking on the tarmac at Kabul airport on Friday, Barbie Reynolds said the couple had been treated well and were "looking forward to seeing our children.""We are looking forward to returning to Afghanistan if we can. We are Afghan citizens," she added.They were embraced by family members on arriving in Doha, with their daughter Sarah Entwistle telling AFPTV she was "overwhelmed with gratitude and relief."The couple were first held in a maximum security facility, "then in underground cells, without daylight, before being transferred" to the intelligence services in Kabul, UN experts have said.In July, independent UN human rights experts called on the Taliban government to free them, warning that they risked "irreparable harm or even death" as their health deteriorated.The couple's family had made repeated pleas for their release, citing their failing health.Taliban foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said on Friday that the couple "had violated the laws of Afghanistan" and were released from custody "following the judicial process."The Reynolds' four children hailed their parents' release but said they face a "long" recovery.Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the "long-awaited news will come as a huge relief" to the family.The British government advises citizens against traveling to Afghanistan, warning that its ability to offer consular assistance is "extremely limited."Russia is the only country to have officially recognised the Taliban government, which has imposed a strict version of Islamic law and been accused of sweeping human rights violations.Dozens of foreign nationals have been arrested since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021 following the NATO pullout.

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has reinforced its commitment to patient safety by implementing comprehensive measures to reduce the risk of sepsis across all its hospitals.Sepsis, a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s severe response to infection, remains a leading cause of preventable harm worldwide. HMC is working to change that through system-wide initiatives focused on prevention, early detection, rapid treatment, and continuous improvement.Dr Khalid Mohammed al-Jalham, chief medical officer, highlighted HMC’s structured sepsis programme: “At HMC, we have established sepsis champions in every unit, embedded the internationally recognised Sepsis-6 bundle into clinical workflows, and deployed enhanced electronic alerts. We also monitor performance through unit-level dashboards and provide interprofessional training at the Hamad International Training Centre. These steps ensure faster recognition and treatment, improving outcomes for our patients.”As part of this structured programme, HMC also participates annually in World Sepsis Day on September 13 and contributes to the Qatar National Sepsis Symposium, which brings together experts from across the health system to share knowledge and best practicesHMC's chief nursing officer Mariam Nooh al-Mutawa emphasised the role of frontline nurses: “Our nurses are often the first to identify sepsis symptoms. Through dedicated training and strict compliance with the Sepsis-6 bundle, nurses play a vital role in preventing deterioration and safeguarding patients. Evidence shows that nurse-led interventions directly improve survival and our nursing teams are leading this effort across all hospitals.”Symptoms of sepsis can include sudden changes in mental status, fast and shallow breathing, unexplained sweating, feeling lightheaded, and shivering. These warning signs may indicate the body’s severe response to infection. Sepsis can lead to shock, multi-organ failure and death, especially if not recognised early and treated promptly, so seeking medical care quickly is essential if symptoms are detected.Sepsis risk can be reduced by practising good hygiene such as regular handwashing, keeping wounds clean and covered, staying up to date with recommended vaccines, and managing chronic conditions with routine care.Dr Abdulsalam Saif, HMC sepsis lead, noted: “Automated data collection, electronic medical record order sets, and stronger documentation have improved the consistency of care. By focusing on high-risk groups and embedding sepsis champions across all facilities, we are making hospitals safer for every patient. HMC’s membership in the Worldwide Sepsis Alliance ensures our programs are aligned with global best practices, reinforcing our position at the forefront of the fight against sepsis.”Through prevention protocols, early recognition systems, frontline nursing leadership, public awareness initiatives, research and quality improvement, HMC is ensuring that patients in Qatar receive the safest and most effective management of sepsis.

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.

The 10th Amiri Air Force aircraft arrived in the Afghan capital, Kabul, carrying urgent medical aid provided by the Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) to support the healthcare sector, as part of the airlift being operated by the State of Qatar to help alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Afghan people following the earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan.The aid includes essential medicines, intravenous fluids, and a number of vital supplies needed to save lives, aimed at strengthening the capacity of hospitals and frontline health facilities to meet urgent needs.The Ministry of Public Health in Afghanistan received the aid to ensure its prompt and effective distribution to the affected communities.These efforts come as part of the State of Qatar's continued support for the Afghan people and reflects the country's firm commitment to humanitarian solidarity and support for those impacted by natural disasters.The State continues its steady approach to providing humanitarian aid, despite the Israeli attack, driven by its ethical responsibility and leading humanitarian role at both regional and international levels.

As part of the efforts made by the Qatar government and humanitarian organisations to support the resilience of the people, institutions, and vital sectors of Syria, a high-level delegation from Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) arrived at Damascus International Airport Sunday. The delegation was headed by QRCS president Yousef bin Ali al-Khater, secretary-general Faisal Mohamed al-Emadi, assistant secretary-general for Relief and International Development Mohamed Bader al-Sada, and assistant secretary-general for Communication and Resource Development Mohamed Ahmed al-Beshri. They were received by Syria's Minister of Health Dr Musaab Nazzal al-Ali, Qatar embassy in Syria charge d'affaires Khalifa Abdullah al-Mahmoud, Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society (SARCS) president Dr Mohamed Hazem Bakleh, Damascus Health Directorate director Dr Wael Dagmash, representative of Syria’s ministry of foreign affairs and staff of the QRCS’s representation office in Türkiye. The purpose of the humanitarian visit was to deliver a new batch of aid from Qatar under the “Take Heart Syria” initiative, containing medical equipment and supplies donated by Sidra Medicine, Al-Tafa’ol Trading Company, United International Trading Company, and Doha Health Care Group, in co-ordination with the QRCS, SARCS, and Syria’s ministry of health. The delegation from Qatar arrived at Damascus International Airport aboard a Qatar Amiri Air Force aircraft, carrying 12 tonnes of critical and sophisticated medical equipment to help Syrian hospitals continue providing quality healthcare services for patients. This airlift was preceded by three land aid convoys. On August 28, a total of 22 aid trucks started to depart from the warehouses of Sidra Medicine and the QRCS in Doha in three batches. The convoys travelled through Saudi Arabia and Jordan, ending in Syria, with 78 tonnes of aid. Thus, the total volume of aid delivered under the initiative totaled 90 tonnes of medical equipment and supplies, at a value of over QR45mn. In his keynote speech during the event, al-Khater, said: "These combined efforts were meant to send a message of solidarity to Syria, helping revitalise the Syrian healthcare sector and strengthening the capacity of its medical institutions to meet the needs of millions of Syrians.” “Over the past years, the QRCS implemented large-scale projects and programmes covering various sectors, including health, shelter, emergency relief, food security, water and sanitation, and livelihoods, with a total value of $160mn,” he added. “More than 13mn people across the country benefited from these interventions”. The QRCS president promised to keep working hard to ensure the delivery of more aid from Qatar to the people of Syria, as well as to intensify support to provide the Syrian health sector with the vital supplies needed for medical facilities. “In the name of the Syrian government and people, I would like to welcome this medical shipment from the State of Qatar, through the QRCS,” said Syrian Health Minister Dr al-Ali. “This humanitarian initiative is not merely equipment and supplies, but rather a message of genuine solidarity, a new lease on life for our patients, and a renewed hope for our medical professionals, who continue to do their job despite the difficulties and challenges.” Al-Mahmoud described the aid as a practical demonstration of Qatar’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Syrian people. The SARCS’s Dr Bakleh said that the generous initiative represents the deep fraternal ties between the peoples of Syria and Qatar and best embodies the spirit of humanitarian solidarity. Al-Emadi revealed that the aid shipment from Qatar contained X-ray, anaesthesia, and dialysis equipment; advanced laboratory testing equipment; vital signs monitoring machines; ventilators; incubators; radiography and laser imaging systems; plasma and biological storage freezers; cardiac and neurological monitoring devices; clinical decision support systems; stretchers; disinfection and protection tools; medical consumables; first-aid kits; and other equipment that covers a wide range of healthcare services, as an essential boost to rehabilitate medical infrastructure in Syria and enable hospitals to resume some of their suspended or limited services.