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Lebanese Minister of Energy and Water Joe Saddi has praised the State of Qatar's supportive positions for Lebanon, affirming that Qatar has undertaken years-long efforts to help and stand with Lebanon.Qatar has been standing with Lebanon in numerous fields, with energy at the forefront, alongside the health and transportation sectors, as well as backing the Lebanese military, Saddi underlined to Qatar News Agency (QNA).He emphasised the ongoing Qatar-Lebanon collaboration in the field of energy, noting Lebanon's tremendous ambition in the area of gas and petrol exploration in the Lebanese territorial waters.Saddi noted the deal signed by QatarEnergy with the Lebanese government and both TotalEnergies and Eni to acquire a participating interest in an exploration block offshore Lebanon last Friday.Under the terms of the agreement, QatarEnergy will acquire 30% of Block 8, while TotalEnergies (the operator) and Eni will each hold 35%, Saddi highlighted.The Lebanese minister added that, under this deal, a seismic survey will be conducted in Offshore Exploration Area Block 8, a survey that had not been conducted previously due to the absence of maritime boundary demarcation with Israel.He emphasised the critical importance of this survey, as it plays a central role in fathoming out the detailed geology of the area, and that exploration decisions will be made based on the survey findings.Saddi further expressed his hope that the consortium will move as soon as possible to swiftly initiate a three-dimensional seismic survey, enabling enhanced geological and technical understanding of Offshore Exploration Area Block 8 and a thorough assessment of available opportunities.He noted that the signing of the deal underscores the consortium's determination to forge ahead with exploration activities despite the challenges in Lebanon.In addition, Saddi clarified that the Ministry of Energy and Water, in coordination with the Lebanese Petroleum Administration (LPA), is working on preparing the file for launching the fourth offshore licensing round, in addition to fashioning the required terms and conditions, with a view to attracting global companies to invest in the open offshore areas and reinforcing exploration and production activities in Lebanon.Saddi elaborated that after roughly one month, the LPA will showcase the necessary amendments to the tender documents, aimed at increasing the number of companies submitting bids. Thereafter, these amendments will be submitted in due course to the Lebanon's Council of Ministers.The Lebanese minister downplayed the consternations over the possibility of oil and gas exploration operations in southern Lebanon being subjected to Israeli offensives, particularly in Block 8, stressing that he does not think this will happen, as long as these firms conduct assessments of the developments that could potentially emerge in the region. 

University of Doha for Science and Technology ( UDST) has announced the launch of three new academic programmes for Fall 2026, namely, Master of Science in Midwifery, Executive Master of Health Administration, and Diploma in Animal Health and Veterinary Science.The new programmes have been developed in alignment with national priorities and international standards with a focus on hands-on learning, applied research, and professional training. Admissions for all three programmes will open this January for the 2026–2027 academic year through the University’s website: udst.edu.qa.Executive Master of Health Administration (EMHA) offered at the College of Business is designed to strengthen Qatar’s health-system leadership capacity.EMHA prepares emerging and mid-career professionals to drive operational excellence across the healthcare sector. Purpose-built for immediate impact, the programme develops leaders capable of improving quality, optimising financial performance, and advancing digital transformation to deliver measurable results for patients, providers, and payers.Applied and industry-focused, the EMHA is built around real-world projects in collaboration with health-sector partners and is fully aligned with national priorities to enhance high-quality, sustainable healthcare services. Graduates will be equipped to lead change, manage complex organisations, and elevate performance across the sector and beyond.Master of Science in Midwifery (MSc Midwifery) at the College of Health Sciences is designed as Qatar’s first graduate programme in midwifery. It provides an advanced pathway for registered nurses seeking to transition into professional midwifery practice. The programme is competency-based and practice-focused, integrating robust clinical training and high-fidelity simulation to build expertise in maternal, neonatal, and family-centred care.Developed in collaboration with key health-sector partners and aligned with international standards, it directly responds to Qatar’s growing need for highly skilled midwives. Graduates will be prepared to lead innovation, enhance quality of care, and advance women’s health across the national healthcare system.Diploma in Animal Health and Veterinary Science offered at the College of Health Sciences aims to strengthen national capacity in animal health. This applied two-year diploma provides comprehensive training in animal care, disease prevention, diagnostics, and husbandry. This programme was developed in response to national priorities identified by the Ministry of Municipality and graduates will be equipped with the practical and technical skills needed to support veterinary services and public-health protection, contributing directly to Qatar’s One-Health agenda and advancing the country’s long-term animal-health objectives.Dr Salem Al-Naemi, president of UDST, said: “Expanding our academic portfolio with these programmes reflects UDST’s role in anticipating future skills needs and translating national priorities into high-impact educational pathways. By focusing on developing leaders and building skills, we are investing in areas that have strategic significance for the country and lead towards its sustainable development.”UDST now offers close to 80 programmes that are under five different colleges which include: Engineering and Technology, Business, Computing and Information Technology, Health Sciences and General Education.

The Oral Health Promotion and Prevention Department at Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) took part in the Kids Healthy Village, a community-based initiative with a wide range of health activities by multiple departments of PHCC.Dr Najat al-Yafei, manager of the Oral Health Promotion and Prevention Department, stated that the department’s participation in the Kids Healthy Village reflected the integration of preventive efforts and the promotion of child and family health within an open community setting, highlighting the department’s role in early prevention and oral health education.Dr al-Yafei explained that the event witnessed strong community turnout, benefitting nearly 600 children over four days with a noticeable increase in attendance during the final days. This, she noted, reflects families’ growing awareness of the importance of early oral health screening and the event’s success in reaching new segments of the community who had not previously participated in similar health campaigns.She noted that the event relied on mobile dental units and the use of intraoral cameras as diagnostic and educational tools, enabling parents to directly view their children’s oral health status. This approach enhanced understanding and confidence in the health information provided, and effectively transformed dental screening into an educational experience for families.Dr al-Yafei indicated that the team was keen to offer children a comprehensive experience through simplified educational activities, interactive games, and supportive giveaways, ensuring children’s comfort during screening and encouraging acceptance of preventive procedures. She highlighted that staff professionalism and effective organisation were among the key factors contributing to the success of the participation.She added that parent survey results showed a very high level of satisfaction with the overall experience and the quality of services provided, with most participants expressing increased motivation to care for their children’s oral health following the visit. She noted that quick dental screening was perceived by parents as the most valuable component of the event.Dr al-Yafei said that the Kids Healthy Village event represents a successful model of community-based preventive care, combining direct community outreach with integrated health services, and contributing to the promotion of healthy practices and greater attention to oral health among families in Qatar. 

The Ministry of Labour (MoL), represented by the Occupational Safety and Health Department, participated Thursday in the Milaha Group's Workplace Wellbeing Forum, held under the theme "Together Towards Balance", with the aim of strengthening workplace culture and placing people's health, resilience, and overall wellbeing at the heart of sustainable business success.The Ministry's participation comes as part of its efforts to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for all workers in the country and to promote employee wellbeing, given its important role in improving productivity, enhancing engagement and talent retention, and supporting long-term organisational performance.The forum underscored that workplace wellbeing is among the key factors influencing institutional success and sustainability, due to its direct link to employees' mental and physical health, quality of performance, and capacity for creativity and innovation. Workplace wellbeing also reflects the level of satisfaction employees experience through a balanced professional and personal life, as well as a motivating work environment grounded in fairness and equal opportunities.During the forum, a number of specialised experts from the Ministry of Labour and Milaha discussed ways to promote wellbeing in the workplace and support mental health and human sustainability, contributing to stronger organisational resilience and future development plans. Speakers highlighted a set of integrated themes that help shape a more balanced and resilient future, emphasising that workplace wellbeing is not merely an option or a luxury, but a strategic investment that boosts productivity, improves work quality, reduces costs, and strengthens a sustainable and successful work environment.The forum also featured technical and practical presentations addressing physical and mental wellbeing, as well as the impact of mental health programmes in workplaces. This event represents a key step towards advancing workplace wellbeing and fostering sustainable work environments, with positive effects on employee performance and the reinforcement of sustainable growth principles across companies and communities alike.

Qatar ranked first in the Arab world and 18th globally in health services, according to the Numbeo Index — an international ranking based on a range of criteria, including the quality of healthcare, ease of access to services, efficiency of infrastructure, and levels of beneficiary satisfaction.Throughout 2025, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has continued to play a pivotal role as the body responsible for formulating national health policies, regulating the health sector, and ensuring the integration of its services in a manner that achieves the highest levels of quality, efficiency, and sustainability.**media[397289]**According to MoPH data, there are around 58,000 workers in the public and private sectors, representing various medical, nursing, technical, and administrative specialties. The number of available hospital beds in health facilities stands at 5,485, which reflects the expansion of the health sector’s capacity to keep pace with population growth, urban expansion, and the increasing demand for health services.Further, 2025 has seen a qualitative leap in the progress of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), which continued to strengthen its position as the main provider of specialised and secondary healthcare in the country and as one of the leading regional models in quality performance and clinical excellence.**media[397290]**HMC achievements ranged from strategic partnerships and service development to the introduction of advanced technologies and the realisation of unprecedented medical achievements at the national level. As part of efforts to improve access to health services and reduce waiting times, HMC signed partnership agreements with a number of private hospitals, with the aim of referring Qatari citizens who experience long waiting periods in certain specialties to receive timely care.Similarly, HMC opened a musculoskeletal physiotherapy clinic for seniors at Qatar Rehabilitation Centre, reflecting its commitment to developing specialised health care services that support the independence of older adults and enhance their quality of life.The new clinic aims to provide advanced and comprehensive care for seniors through specialised therapeutic programmes that help improve muscle strength, increase mobility, and enhance balance.**media[397291]**In October 2025, HMC strengthened its regional and international leadership in the development of healthcare systems by organising the Middle East Forum on Person-Centred Care. The forum served as a pivotal platform for the exchange of global expertise and for highlighting the latest trends in delivering integrated, sustainable, and human-centered health services.Qatar’s National Immunisation Programme has continued to achieve coverage rates exceeding 95% for most essential childhood vaccines, as the outcome of the success of preventive policies, the effectiveness of community awareness campaigns, and society’s commitment to the importance of immunisation as the first line of defence against infectious diseases.**media[397292]**Besides, MoPH has developed a comprehensive five-year national action plan during 2025 aimed at strengthening monitoring and surveillance activities for various additives across all types of locally produced and imported foods. As such, the ministry obtained renewed international accreditation from the American Accreditation Body for food inspection and sampling in accordance with the international standard ISO/IEC 17020, which enhances public confidence in the food control system.On the digital transformation efforts, the launch of the LBAIH application has made a qualitative shift in managing the patient experience. The app enables patients to view their medical appointments, reschedule or cancel them, and access their health records, test results, and prescriptions, in addition to receiving alerts and reminders. 

A Doha-based financial technology solutions provider has urged small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to reassess their approach to investors and adopt adaptability as a key survival strategy in today’s fintech-driven economy.Daniel Sansano, the CEO of Daniel Sansano Capitals Inc, noted that many SMEs in the region are facing different challenges due to their dependence on traditional bank loans. He explained that these loans frequently come with high interest rates that can pose many challenges to the financial health and growth potential of these businesses.“As a result, many SMEs find themselves in a difficult position, struggling to access affordable financing options that would enable them to invest in expansion, innovate their products or services, and ultimately enhance their competitiveness in the market,” Sansano addressed a previously held panel discussion.According to Sansano, his firm introduced a simplified funding model that requires only a pitch and identification, thus eliminating the paperwork that usually puts off entrepreneurs. “No matter how great your idea is, if it lacks funds, then that is a problem,” he pointed out.But Sansano was also quick to add that “funding alone is not enough.” He highlighted common misconceptions among SMEs seeking investment, warning against treating investors as charity organisations.He said, “You don’t ask for a huge sum of money and offer only a little equity. When entrepreneurs or startups ask for capital, they are also asking us to take the risk with them.” Sansano urged founders to balance equity offers with realistic funding requests and to be transparent about how capital will be used.“Education and mentorship,” he pointed out, “are critical gaps in the ecosystem.” He further said, “It’s not just about supporting them through money or incubation; we have to go further with mentorship and updating training in finance, compliance, and operations. Fintech is progressive and requires continuous learning.”Sansano also underscored the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping fintech services, saying his company operates with fewer human employees and relies heavily on AI for customer service and support.“You cannot have fintech without innovation, and AI is innovation,” stated Sansano, who positioned automation as a key element to scaling SME solutions.On accessing international markets, Sansano also pointed to fintech tools that could forecast profitability, identify target markets, and track product demand in other countries. According to Sansano, “such forecasting capabilities are essential for SMEs seeking to scale globally.”“Adaptability is the key to survival,” explained Sansano, who disagreed with the idea that SMEs should cling to traditional practices. “Doing so risks stagnation. Tradition will only pull you down. Adaptability is a must for SMEs to survive in this ecosystem,” he continued to emphasise. 

Qatar Charity (QC) has delivered a significant consignment of medical equipment to Chad’s Ministry of Public Health, reinforcing efforts to improve healthcare and social services for the country’s most vulnerable communities.The aid, funded by generous donors in Qatar, includes 1,200 blood pressure monitors and 600 wheelchairs. The handover ceremony took place at the Pharmaceutical Procurement Centre (Centrale Pharmaceutique d’Achat) in N’Djamena, attended by Dr Abdelmajid Abdelrahim, Minister of Public Health; Zara Mahamat Issa, Minister of Social Welfare; and Lt Gen Issakha Maloua Djamous, Minister of National Defence and Veterans, alongside representatives from the Embassy of Qatar and QC’s Chad office.The initiative underscores QC’s commitment to strengthening Chad’s health institutions, fostering effective partnerships that drive human development, improve service quality, and support national efforts to build a modern, inclusive healthcare system for all. Abdelrahim expressed deep appreciation to QC for its role in supporting the health sector and advancing humanitarian development. He noted that the medical equipment addresses urgent needs across several health and social institutions. He also called the initiative a “valuable and symbolic step” that strengthens the health system and improves services nationwide.Abdoulhamid Mohamed, country director of QC’s Chad office, expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Ministry of Public Health to facilitate the organisation’s humanitarian and development efforts. 

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has recently organised a training workshop for around 90 health service providers from the Primary Health Care Corporation working in government schools, to strengthen their readiness to manage asthma cases within the school environment and equip them with the skills required to apply internationally recognised best health practices.MOPH's Director of the Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Programmes Department Sheikh Dr. Mohamed bin Hamad Al-Thani stressed the importance of the Asthma-Friendly Schools Programme in enhancing student health and ensuring a safe educational environment for students with asthma.He pointed out that the integration of efforts between the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Primary Health Care Corporation and Hamad Medical Corporation constitutes a foundation for strengthening the quality of healthcare services provided in schools.He noted that MOPH has achieved, over recent years, remarkable national accomplishments in raising awareness of asthma through large-scale activities organised on World Asthma Day, including media campaigns targeting the public, awareness workshops for the school community, and training programmes for school health staff.These efforts contribute to promoting an accurate understanding of asthma, enabling students, their families and teachers to manage the condition safely and effectively, and reducing asthma attacks within the school environment, positively reflecting on students’ health and academic progress.The Director of the Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Programmes Department also praised the major role of the Primary Health Care Corporation in implementing the Asthma-Friendly Schools Programme by providing school health staff, offering continuous training, following up students with asthma, and connecting them to essential health services.Hamad Medical Corporation also participates in the programme through its clinical expertise and advanced specialities by developing the national guidelines for asthma management, providing specialised technical training to healthcare personnel, supporting rapid intervention mechanisms for emergency cases, and enhancing the preparedness of the health system to deal with asthma complications.In her remarks during the workshop, Supervisor of the Asthma-Friendly Schools Programme, Dr. Maya Al Shaiba stated that implementing the programme across all government schools reflects Qatar’s commitment to providing a supportive and safe school environment for students with asthma. She also praised the efforts of school health staff and their significant role in improving the quality of services provided to students.The "Asthma-Friendly Schools" Programme is one of the national initiatives aimed at reducing absenteeism among students with asthma, strengthening health preparedness within schools, supporting students in managing their health condition, raising health awareness among students and their families, and reinforcing the partnership between families, schools, and the health sector. 

Strong partnerships and concrete collaborations need to be forged to develop resilient, self-reliant health systems as well as affordable and good quality healthcare products, a top official of the World Health Organisation (WHO) noted Saturday at the ongoing Doha Forum held at Sheraton Doha.“There are major opportunities, and I think we just need to start pushing for them, talking about them, and sharing them,” said Dr Hanan Balkhy, the director of the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean.“Trust in the money flows and transactions becomes a bottleneck if it is not done well,” she said. “But if it works well, then it can do wonders for many countries. And I think it is something that we need to start thinking about.”Dr Balkhy was discussing the issue of the countries in the Global South facing sharp aid cuts that threaten hard-won health gains at the session on “Navigating Disruptions to Global Health Financing: Strategic Partnerships to Reclaim Country Ownership”.The panel explored how the South-South and Gulf-engaged collaborations can strengthen primary healthcare, align external support with national priorities, and accelerate the shift toward resilient, self-reliant health systems.The discussion focused on how these countries can safeguard ownership of their health agendas amid shrinking aid flows and what models of co-operation can make external financing more catalytic.The session highlighted how private and philanthropic partners sustain service delivery and innovation.It also aimed to identify pathways for building equitable and country-owned health systems.Dr Balkhy said that the WHO tries to strengthen knowledge sharing through something called individual collaborating centres.“In these individual collaborating centres, we create the networks that can bring the expertise from the collaborating centres to the ministry of health to ensure that they can establish what is needed of governance and guidelines, training and practices, and even support some kind of knowledge-based services,” she explained. “We do that through those individual collaborating centres.”“We want to look (at) what are we doing for the next five, ten or 20 years of time... that's why we put so much effort in establishing the national regulatory authorities, because they will be the guardians of local production,” Dr Balkhy continued.“Now, once the local production is up and mature, and the regulatory authority in that specific country is up and mature, they will have the ability to share their products, not only internally, but externally with other countries,” she stated.The regional director noted that the WHO plays a crucial role regarding the quality of healthcare provision.“First of all, we are doing a lot of work at strengthening more products, medical equipment, medical devices, anything used as tools with the patient,” she said. “They have to be of good quality and affordable. And the national regulatory authorities can do that. It is the WHO that certifies the maturity level of the regulatory authorities.”Other panelists at the session moderated by Al Jazeera presenter Folly Bah Thibault were Somalia Health Minister Dr Ali Hajji Adam and Dangote Foundation chief executive Zouera Youssoufou. 

Ooredoo has announced WHOOP as the Official Wearable Partner for the 2026 and 2027 Doha Marathon by Ooredoo.The agreement was signed by Sabah Rabiah al-Kuwari, vice-chairman of the Doha Marathon Organising Committee, and Stephan Muller, director of WHOOP – GCC.The two-year collaboration brings together Ooredoo’s commitment to community health, fitness, and sports innovation through world-class technology. As the Official Wearable Partner, WHOOP will play a central role in enhancing athlete performance, training insights, and overall race experience for participants of the Doha Marathon by Ooredoo.Al-Kuwari said, “This partnership represents a significant step forward in how we support our running community. WHOOP has advanced performance insights, from recovery to sleep data to real-time strain and live tracking, and will provide participants, from first-time runners to elite athletes, with a deeper understanding of their bodies throughout the marathon journey.”Muller said, “WHOOP empowers members of all levels to better understand their bodies and unlock deeper insights into recovery, sleep, and strain.” 

The Ministry of Public Health carried out a wide-scale inspection campaign covering a number of restaurants, cafeterias, and sites designated by companies to provide food to workers at their residential locations in the Industrial Area. The objective was to ensure compliance with health standards and requirements during food handling, and to strengthen food safety and protect consumer health in the State of Qatar.During the campaign, inspections were carried out at 479 establishments, including restaurants and cafeterias, in addition to 191 sites designated by companies to prepare and serve food in worker accommodations for about 95,000 workers in the Industrial Area. Each food establishment and site underwent at least three inspection visits to monitor the implementation of corrective measures and to raise the level of compliance.A total of 1,813 food samples were collected (1,239 samples from restaurants and cafeterias and 573 samples from worker housing sites). They were analyzed at the Ministry of Public Health’s food safety laboratories. The results showed that all samples met health requirements.The total number of visits carried out by inspectors from the Food Safety Department of the Ministry of Public Health during the four-month campaign exceeded 1,650 inspection visits to cafeterias and restaurants. The regulatory efforts resulted in a notable improvement in performance, as more than 82 percent of these establishments advanced by at least one grade in the classification system compared to their initial inspection visit.Statistics from the electronic food safety system Wathiq also showed that 44 percent of the sites designated by companies to prepare and serve food to workers at their accommodations received an Excellent rating, within an overall ratio of 85 percent of sites rated Average and above, compared to the initial inspection visit for these sites.The Ministry of Public Health continues working to complete coverage of the remaining worker accommodations, restaurants, and cafeterias, increase inspection visits, and organize training workshops for food handlers to raise awareness of health requirements and general hygiene standards.The Food Safety Department of the Ministry of Public Health continues to implement the food establishment classification program as part of the ministry’s strategy to protect public health. This is achieved through continuous cooperation between the relevant authorities and food establishment owners, which is a fundamental pillar in establishing an advanced and sustainable food system that meets the highest standards of food safety.

The sixth International Primary Health Care Conference (IPHCC) started Thursday in the presence of His Excellency Mansoor bin Ebrahim al-Mahmoud at the Ritz Carlton Doha exploring the latest advancements and innovations in primary health care. A large number of dignitaries and officials as well as international experts and speakers took part in the opening session of the conference. The three day conference organised by the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) with the theme ‘Inspiring Tomorrow; The Power of Collaboration in Primary Health Care’ is exploring many of the current topics and the advancements of technology in primary health care sector. About 1,000 experts, speakers, doctors, speakers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, educators, students, and stakeholders from across the globe are sharing their knowledge and best practices in primary health care over the course of the conference. Speaking at the opening session, Dr Mariam Abdul Malik, managing director of the PHCC said that the conference is an embodiment of Qatar’s firm commitment to developing the health sector. “Primary health care in Qatar has become an advanced model at the regional and international levels, thanks to the strategic investment in human health and the building of an integrated system that provides high-quality preventive, curative and rehabilitative services in a safe and competitive environment.” she explained. Dr Abdul Malik highlighted that everyone in Qatar enjoys an advanced health system and what has been achieved in terms of healthcare services is clearly reflected in the satisfaction of community members and visitors to health centres, with visitors' satisfaction level reaching above 80% in the recent surveys. “This conference is not just a scientific event, but a platform that stimulates creativity, inspires health work teams to share knowledge and experiences, and explore innovative solutions that contribute to establishing a more prepared, flexible and sustainable health system for a healthier and more prosperous tomorrow for the nation and society,” she added. Speaking at the opening session, Prof Lord Ara Darzi, co-director, Imperial College London and the executive chair of the World Innovation Summit for Health highlighted the huge advancements made by Qatar in healthcare and praised the country for its vision. He said: “ Primary care is the bedrock, the unshakeable foundation upon which all resilient health systems are built. It is the centre of trust, continuity, and human connection that cannot be outsourced or automated. This is not about episodic interventions. It is about generational care.” After the opening session, the Minister of Public Health along with other dignitaries toured the exhibition accompanying the conference. A lot of healthcare professionals, including local and international companies, providers of medical services, supplies and devices, are participating in the exhibition to showcase their latest innovations in the healthcare sector, along with various educational and technological entities. The conference showcases a wide range of advanced topics in primary healthcare through panel discussions and workshops led by a select group of international speakers and experts. It will also provide researchers with an opportunity to present their research and the findings of recent studies that can be applied to improving primary healthcare services both within Qatar and internationally.