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The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) participated in the forty-eighth session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which was recently held in Rome, the Italian capital, with representatives from member states and international organisations concerned with establishing global food standards.MoPH participated in strengthening international efforts to establish unified scientific standards and references for food safety and quality, and to promote fair trade in food products, in line with the State's commitments to international bodies, especially the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization.During the meetings, a decision was made to adopt a standard for fresh dates as an international standard and to introduce a standard for pasteurised camel milk as a new work item on the Codex Alimentarius agenda.This represents support for the regional proposal led by the Codex Committee for the Near East, which includes the State of Qatar within its regional framework.The meetings also included participation in the review of the code of practice for the prevention and reduction of aflatoxin contamination in peanuts, the setting of maximum limits for lead in spices and herbs, and the updating of standards for food additives and chemical contaminants.MoPH's Food Safety Consultant Dr. Muna Al Olan affirmed that the Ministry's participation in the meetings is part of national efforts to enhance Qatar's presence in international forums concerned with food safety, and to contribute to the formulation of global decisions and standards that help raise the level of protection for local consumers and develop the national food safety system in line with the latest international practices and standards.She also praised the active role of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in unifying international efforts to ensure food safety and achieving the highest levels of transparency and trust between countries, stressing the Ministry's keenness to maintain close cooperation with international and regional partners in this field.

The State of Qatar participated in the 17th meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee for the Council of Arab Health Ministers, in preparation for the 63rd regular session of the Council of Arab Health Ministers and its Executive Office, scheduled to be held during the period of Dec. 17-18.Qatar's delegation was headed by First Secretary at the Permanent Delegation of Qatar to the League of Arab States Ali Hussein Al Jarhab.The meeting agenda included several important health topics, foremost among them supporting the health sector in the State of Palestine, the successful and pioneering experiences of the Arab member states in the health fields, the follow up on developments regarding Arab strategies concerned with benefiting from the Arab health competencies of migrants in support of the health sectors in the Arab region 2026-2030, developing primary health care and family medicine 2026-2030, and making public health services available in the context of asylum and displacement in the Arab region.The meeting also addressed reports from various bodies of the Council of Arab Ministers of Health, namely: the Arab Authority for Blood Transfusion Services, the Arab Board of Health Specializations, and the Arab Center for Authorship and Translation of Health Science. It also followed up on the resolution issued by the Arab League Summit regarding investment in health human resources, and the resolution issued by the Arab League's Economic and Social Council regarding promoting the right to family planning in Arab countries, and analyzing the challenges and opportunities associated with declining fertility rates.The meeting addressed the unified statement of the Council of Arab Health Ministers before the 79th session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva in May 2026, which is scheduled to be delivered by the Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in addition to the first Arab Ministerial Forum for Health and Environment, the establishment of a regional Arab center for applied epidemiology, the follow-up on the work of the Arab Coordination Mechanism for Disaster Risk Reduction, the unification of Arab efforts to combat drugs, in addition to discussing financial matters related to the Arab Health Development Fund.The committee is scheduled to submit its recommendations on the topics on its agenda to the Executive Office, and then to the 63rd regular session of the Health Ministers' Council, to take the necessary decisions regarding them.

The three-storey Child Health Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana's capital Accra is a place with hushed corridors, laboured breathing and parents clutching on to hope. But on Friday, the gloom gave way to shrieks of joy as children with drips taped to their arms sat upright for the first time in days.Others, too weak to stand, managed faint but determined smiles. Nurses paused mid-rounds, phones raised in the cancer ward. Even exhausted mothers lit up. The reason was nearly six feet seven inches (2.03-metre) tall, dressed in the iconic blue-and-red Superman suit and cape. In real life Leonardo Muylaert is a lawyer specialised in civil rights who needs reading glasses to work. Muylaert — known worldwide as the "Brazilian Superman" — was rounding up his one-week maiden visit to Ghana, his first trip to Africa, and the cancer ward erupted into life. Everywhere he walked, children reached for his hands. Parents scrambled for selfies.Medical staff crowded the hallways. "He moved from bed to bed, giving each child attention," a nurse whispered. "For some of them, this is the first time we've seen them smile in weeks." For 35-year-old Regina Awuku, whose five-year-old son is battling leukaemia, the moment was miraculous. "My son was so happy to see Superman. This means a lot to us," she said. "You saw my son lying quietly on the bed, but he had the energy to wake up as soon as he saw him.""I chose Ghana to visit for my birthday," Muylaert, who studied in the US on a basketball scholarship, said. "I feel I identify with the culture, with the heritage, with the happiness."'BROUGHT SUCH POSITIVE CHANGE'His sudden fame began in 2022 at the Comic-Con convention in Sao Paulo when a stranger surreptitiously shot a cell phone video of him, amazed at his resemblance to Superman film star Christopher Reeve. "Am I seeing Clark Kent?" asked the star-struck comic book fan, in a clip that soon racked up thousands of views on TikTok — unbeknownst to Muylaert, who did not even have a social media account at the time. Weeks later, Muylaert learned through friends that he had become an online sensation. "It was funny and crazy to read that so many people think I look like Superman," he told AFP then.That's when an idea took root in the back of his mind, he said: get a Superman suit and try the alter ego on for size. He ordered an old-fashioned costume online, and started travelling around Brazil as Superman. Muylaert visits hospitals, schools and charities, poses for pictures with commuters on random street corners, and generally tries to be what he calls a symbol of kindness and hope — all free of charge. He now visits vulnerable people worldwide. In Accra, after leaving the hospital, he went to a prosthetics workshop on the city's outskirts, where amputee children screamed "Superman! Superman!" as he joined their football match.For Akua Sarpong, founder of Lifeline for Childhood Cancer Ghana, the impact was immediate. "It has been a fun-filled day," she said. "I have seen so many children smiling and happy, even children undergoing treatment sitting up that I haven't seen in a long time. He has brought such positive change." Muylaert said the visit reinforced his belief in small acts of kindness. "Everybody can be a hero... you don't need a cape," he said. "The smile on their faces changes the world." As he prepared to fly back to Brazil, he said "the idea is to spread happiness all over.". "Maybe we won't change the whole world, but as long as we inspire one person, that person inspires the other."

The Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) launched Thursday the 3rd edition of its annual scientific conference, which will last for three days, under the title "Musculoskeletal/Neurological Disorders and Pain Management in Primary Health Care".The opening day of the conference was attended by His Excellency Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad al-Mahmoud, His Excellency Director of the Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention Programs Department at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani, His Excellency QRCS Secretary-General Faisal Mohamed al-Emadi, QRCS members of the Board of Directors and Secretary-General Assistants.In his opening remarks, His Excellency QRCS President Yousef bin Ali al-Khater said that the conference brings together a group of experts and specialists from various health institutions in the country, who meet together under one roof for three days to discuss and debate the most important topics and issues in the medical field and exchange experiences and information that contribute to improving the level of medical service provided to the public and responding to the latest developments in medical work and its changing challenges.He added that the conference's status is becoming more established year after year as an annual scientific forum that brings together the best professionals in Qatar who carry the noble message of medicine and dedicate themselves day and night to serving humanity and preserving the health and well-being of society. He noted that in each edition of the conference, success is established, interest expands, and the added value that the conference represents for the medical sector and all those working in it is confirmed.He also highlighted the success of QRCS in obtaining accreditation as an educational organization for continuing professional development for five years, after fulfilling all the standards and conditions applied by the MoPH's Department of Health Specialties - Accreditation and Medical Education Department. He noted that this achievement not only represents another milestone in the long history of QRCS, but also a living embodiment of the strategic partnership with the MoPH, through the QRCS's management and operation of workers' health centers for fifteen years.He expressed his pride in the QRCS having the second largest ambulance fleet in the country, in addition to an integrated center for training, research and development. In turn, Director of Training, Research, and Development Center at QRCS and Chairman of the Conference Ghanem Salman al-Sulaiti said that this year’s conference focuses on the topic of "Musculoskeletal/Neurological Disorders and Pain Management in Primary Health Care" because the increasing burden of musculoskeletal and neurological diseases requires a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.He indicated that approximately 242mn people worldwide suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, and that around 200mn women worldwide suffer from osteoporosis. He also pointed out that multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease are common neurological diseases affecting millions of people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.He noted that the conference discusses the latest developments in the field of musculoskeletal and neurological disorders and pain management, and reviews best practices and the latest research in this field. The conference enjoys a strategic partnership with the MoPH, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), in addition to Servier Medical Company as a representative of the private sector.The conference agenda is divided into four components: pre-conference workshops, the main conference track, a parallel track for pharmacists, and a parallel track for physiotherapy and rehabilitation practitioners. The agenda comprises 61 sessions presented by 58 speakers and moderated by 35 facilitators from various healthcare providers across the country.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has issued a circular requiring pharmaceutical companies to print essential information about human medicinal products in Braille on their outer packaging. Implementation will be introduced gradually and will become compulsory for all pharmaceutical products available to the public from November 2027.The requirement stipulates that the name of the medicine, its active ingredient and strength must be printed in Braille in both Arabic and English.The MoPH has also issued the Guideline on the Braille Requirements for Labelling Information of Medicinal Products for Human Use, which defines the technical and regulatory standards for implementation.Dr Ghanim Ali Al Mannai, Assistant Undersecretary for Healthcare Regulatory Affairs at the MoPH, affirmed that this measure forms part of the Ministry's efforts to enhance medication awareness across all segments of society, and to facilitate safe access to and use of pharmaceutical products by people who are blind or visually impaired. He noted that this aligns with the priorities of the National Health Strategy (NHS), which seeks to improve population health and wellbeing, deliver excellence in healthcare services and patient experience, and promote quality, key enablers and sustainability.Dr Al Mannai added that the Ministry also aims to ensure the safe use of medicines and to improve access to information about medical products for people with visual impairments.He further explained that the Pharmacy and Drug Control Department at the MoPH will monitor implementation at all stages of pharmaceutical product registration, including new registrations, renewals, and modification requests. Compliance will also be verified during inspection and regulatory visits carried out by the Department's teams to pharmacies and drug warehouses.

The 6th International Primary Health Care Conference (IPHCC)-Qatar 2025 is set to be organised from November 27 to 29, 2025, under the theme: “Inspiring Tomorrow: The Power of Collaboration in Primary Health Care”.Assistant Managing Director of Quality & Workforce Development, Dr Zelaikha Mohsin al-Wahedi, said the conference embodies Qatar’s prestigious standing in advancing the health sector and its sustainability and competence.This convention is part of a chain reaction of initiatives stemming from the national vision that places human health at the core of development priorities and underscores the importance of building a health system based on knowledge, prevention, and innovation, al-Wahedi highlighted.She further noted that over 1,000 experts including academics, and medical practitioners hailing from various countries around the world, representing elite global research and medical institutions, will attend this year’s conference – a testament to the enhanced confidence in PHCC as a leading scientific hub, and the incredible success of previously convened conferences in deepening its standing as a platform for scientific dialogue and sharing trailblazing global experiences in the field of primary healthcare.This year’s themes have addressed the rapid global evolution in the health sector and will primarily focus on AI applications, innovation in medical education, and emerging technologies, as well as their role in raising the efficiency of health services and optimising the experience of patients and visitors, al-Wahedi noted.She further indicated that this orientation aligns with the nation’s efforts in moving toward digital transformation in this sector, in PHCC’s pursuit to merge technology with daily practices to ensure high-quality and integrated care.She pointed out that the conference is not merely designed for scientific sessions, but also positions itself as a platform to boost collaboration and partnerships among domestic and international organisations, whether in terms of training, research, or capacity-building.The scientific programme of this event is poised to be structured into professional sessions convening domestic and international speakers, covering a wide spectrum of contemporary health issues that will address strategic subjects, she highlighted.These subjects, al-Wahedi said, include scientific research and its applications in clinical practice, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in healthcare, quality and patient safety, ethics and law in healthcare, inter-professional practice and collaboration, preventive care, priority populations such as older adults, children, and women, and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).This is alongside key lectures to be delivered by international speakers to address the future of primary healthcare and collaboration in enhancing preventive services, along with parallel sessions that will cover state-of-the-art clinical updates in family medicine, nursing, pharmacy, laboratory medicine, radiology, nutrition, physiotherapy, and dentistry, al-Wahedi pointed out.

His Excellency the Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad al-Mahmoud inaugurated the second edition of Qatar’s International Healthcare and Medical Exhibition and Conference (Qatar Medicare). Qatar Medicare brings together 100 local and international companies under one roof, 64 local and 36 international exhibitors.Organised by IFP Qatar in collaboration with Qatar Chamber (QC) and held under the patronage of the Ministry of Public Health, the event continues until Thursday, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).Chair of the Health Committee at Qatar Chamber Ibtihaj al-Ahmadani said: “The Qatar Chamber is committed to achieving self-sufficiency in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors. Qatar Medicare reflects the strong public-private collaboration driving Qatar’s healthcare landscape.”According to estimates by Fitch Solutions, a subsidiary of Fitch Ratings, Qatar’s healthcare sector is projected to experience accelerated growth, with total health expenditure expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 14% by 2029, reaching $11.5bn (QR41.86bn).This expansion is set to position Qatar as the third-largest healthcare market in the GCC and the tenth-largest in the Mena region.Commercial and Operations Director at IFP Qatar Hayat Bayan commented: “Qatar Medicare includes daily one-on-one meetings between exhibitors, visitors, and major hospitals from both the public and private sectors, in addition to panel discussions and workshops featuring more than 55 speakers, 25 presentations, five dialogue sessions, four workshops, training sessions, and an Open Stage segment that allows professionals two minutes each to share their work and expertise. The event will conclude with the Qatar Medicare 2025 Healthcare Excellence Awards, honouring 15 categories of outstanding healthcare institutions and individuals.”Dr Hadi Mohamad Abu Rasheed, Scientific Advisor at Qatar Cancer Society and member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the International Cancer Patients Alliance, emphasised: “The QCS is participating as a Silver Sponsor to enhance its awareness efforts on cancer prevention, early detection, and the importance of public education.”“It will also explore the latest technologies and potential partnerships to improve and innovate healthcare practices, contributing to raising community awareness and improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their families,” he said.

There has been an increase in the rates of chronic and non-communicable diseases due to unhealthy lifestyles such as physical inactivity, smoking, obesity, and stress, which led to significant and widespread concerns with serious human and financial consequences for countries and their healthcare systems.According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetes is becoming the most common chronic and non-communicable disease. The international community celebrates World Diabetes Day on Nov. 14 each year, since it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007.WHO Representative in Qatar Dr Rayana Bou Haka, said in an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), that around 800 million people are currently diagnosed with diabetes across the globe. She pointed out that the Eastern Mediterranean Region, which includes 22 countries among them the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, has the highest regional prevalence rate of diabetes, standing at 17.6 percent among adults aged between 20 and 79 years.She noted that in this same region, there are nearly 85 million adults, one in every six people, living with diabetes. This number is expected to rise by 92 percent to reach 163 million by 2050, posing an increasing burden in both the short and long term, despite the efforts made in health education, awareness, and the development of medicines and treatment methods.Dr. Bou Haka expressed concern that the region also records the highest rate of diabetes-related deaths, 21.6 percent, among working-age individuals (under 60 years old), specifically between 25 and 60 years. At the same time, about one-third of diabetes cases remain undiagnosed, highlighting major gaps in early detection and patient care, which in turn limits people's ability to live longer, healthier lives.She revealed the extent of diabetes prevalence in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and, in this context, identified the rates for the main complications of the disease: retinopathy (25 percent), kidney disease (23 percent), neuropathy (6 percent), dyslipidemia (56 percent), hypertension (59 percent), ischemic heart disease (25 percent), coronary artery disease (15 percent), and diabetes-related foot complications (6 percent).She pointed out that the proportion of people with diabetes in the Gulf countries ranges between 10 percent and 15 percent of the diagnosed population, noting that in some parts of the world, this figure can reach up to 20 percent. She explained that this variation is due to several factors, including personal and psychological readiness to cope with the disease, lifestyle choices, and unhealthy dietary habits, among others.The WHO Representative in Qatar warned that if the situation continues globally as it is, it will be difficult to achieve the third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) by 2030, which aims to reduce chronic diseases by one-third (or 33 percent) in each country.She further noted that if current trends persist, only about 11 percent of that target will be achieved by the stated year, a rate she described as below expectations, emphasizing the need for greater attention to prevention, awareness, early diagnosis, and access to related healthcare services and programs.Dr. Bou Haka noted that the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region have made some tangible progress, despite the fact that several of them are experiencing crises and wars. However, she pointed out that even in other countries not affected by such conditions, the rate of implementation of programs and guidelines related to diabetes prevention and complication management does not exceed 50 percent. She attributed this mainly to insufficient dissemination of essential knowledge about the disease among patients and their families.The WHO Representative highlighted Qatar's National Diabetes Strategy and its various pillars, particularly those focusing on awareness, prevention programs, and health education. She emphasized the strategy's comprehensive approach, which prioritizes prevention, increasing awareness, improving the quality of healthcare, and enhancing research and information systems.In this context, she referred to Qatar's initiative of dedicating a National Sport Day each year and providing exercise equipment in various areas across the country. She praised the efforts of several national bodies, including the Qatar Diabetes Association, and affirmed that Qatar's healthcare system is advanced, with accessible and integrated services, as well as available diagnostic and treatment options. She also highlighted the continuous encouragement to promote behavioral change, especially among youth.Dr. Bou Haka added that the World Health Organization is working to adopt similar initiatives and to launch a free, open-access online program focused on diabetes education modeled after Qatar's approach. The program aims to raise patients' awareness about early diagnosis, regular follow-up, adherence to medication schedules, and compliance with physicians' instructions.She further explained that for every one dollar spent on diabetes prevention and obesity reduction, countries can save an equivalent of 23 dollars in treatment costs. Similarly, investing one dollar in the prevention of other chronic diseases yields an estimated seven-dollar return in health and economic benefits.Dr. Bou Haka also praised Qatar's support for WHO health programs, noting that this contributes to strengthening targeted services and improving access to treatment. She emphasized the importance of countries facilitating patients' access to medications by engaging in joint drug procurement initiatives to reduce prices and make treatments more affordable.In her interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), WHO Representative in Qatar Dr. Rayana Ahmed Bou Haka pointed out a balance in the rates of diabetes among both men and women, indicating that some studies suggest that complications of the disease are more prevalent in men due to several reasons, especially in terms of type 2 diabetes, when the body cannot use insulin properly or does not produce enough of it, leading to an accumulation of sugar (glucose) in the blood.She emphasized the importance of undergoing medical examinations, especially for those over 35 years of age, even if they do not show symptoms of diabetes or other diseases, given that there are silent diseases with serious complications.The world aspires for 80 percent of people with diabetes and 80 percent of those with hypertension to be diagnosed and aware of their condition by 2030, and for their blood sugar and blood pressure levels to be under control. The goal is also for 60 percent of those over 40 years of age to adhere regularly to their medication, and for 100 percent of people with insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes to have access to insulin, monitoring, and effective disease management, she said.Dr. Bou Haka also stressed that this is a shared responsibility, requiring concerted efforts of governments, institutions and communities, as well as individuals.World Diabetes Day - an annual event that falls on Nov. 14, aims to raise awareness about diabetes, encourage early diagnosis, promote the importance of detecting the disease in its early stages, and provide support to patients and their families, as well as highlight the impact of diabetes on society and the importance of preventing and managing it.

The Primary Health Care Corp (PHCC), through its "Asnani" School Oral Health Programme, successfully conducted medical screening for over 31,000 students across 152 schools, including 55 kindergartens and 97 primary schools, during the 2024-2025 academic year as part of a campaign for dental screening, education, and preventive treatment.Manager of the Oral Health Promotion and Prevention Department at PHCC, Dr Najat Alyafei, said the results revealed very important figures, showing that tooth decay remains one of the most common health problems among children.The data showed that 68% of kindergarten children had caries in their baby teeth, while the rate rose to 79% among primary school students. The percentage of decay in permanent teeth among primary students reached 35%.The results also showed that 62% of kindergarten children had untreated caries, in addition to 29% of primary students having untreated decay in their permanent teeth.The screening further indicated that the average number of affected baby teeth among kindergarten children was about four teeth-three untreated, one filled, and very few missing.As for permanent teeth among primary students, the average was less than one affected tooth per child, which the World Health Organisation classifies as a low level of decay, indicating gradual improvement in oral health as children grow older.Dr Alyafei noted that caries rates increase significantly with grade level - from 8% in first grade to 59% in sixth grade - reflecting the accumulation of unhealthy dietary habits and delayed follow-ups at home or between annual school screenings.She called on parents and students to engage positively with the "Asnani School Programme", emphasising that it is more than an annual check-up; it is an investment in protecting children's teeth and therefore their overall health.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced the implementation of the national seasonal influenza vaccination campaign, which was launched in the second half of September in co-operation with Hamad Medical Corporation, Primary Health Care Corporation, and both governmental, semi-governmental, and private health facilities.In a statement, MoPH stressed: “This forms part of the annual strategy to raise awareness, strengthen prevention, and limit the spread of influenza during the winter season”. “Influenza vaccines are available free of charge this year at more than 103 health facilities, including 31 health centres affiliated with the Primary Health Care Corporation, 57 private sector health facilities covering all major hospitals, and 15 semi-governmental facilities, among them Qatar Energy and the Qatar Red Crescent,” it added.The statement said: “MoPH provides influenza vaccinations in ministries, government institutions, and private companies as part of a comprehensive plan aimed at facilitating access to vaccination services for all members of society, thereby enhancing coverage rates and safeguarding public health”.MoPH urged all members of the community, especially those groups most at risk of complications, “to come forward and obtain the seasonal influenza vaccine at the earliest opportunity. It affirms that prevention begins with vaccination and that health awareness is the first line of defence”.“Groups prioritised for influenza vaccination include individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart and lung diseases, kidney impairment, and weakened immunity, as well as senior citizens (over 60 years old), children aged between 6 months and 5 years, pregnant women, and healthcare workers,” the statement clarified.For enquiries about the national seasonal influenza vaccination campaign, the ministry explained, people may contact the Qatar Health Sector Unified Call Centre at 16000.

More than 60 healthcare professionals from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Cameroon, Croatia, the United Kingdom, and Canada attended this year’s Certificate in Lifestyle Medicine (CLM) programme. The course was organised by the Institute for Population Health (IPH) at Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar (WCM-Q).The CLM is a 60-hour certificate programme that equips healthcare practitioners with the education and competencies to aid in the evaluation, prevention, and management of lifestyle-related chronic health conditions.The programme emphasises evidence-based practices focused on lifestyle-related interventions, including regular physical activity, healthy nutrition, adequate sleep, tobacco cessation, stress management, and social connections.Additionally, the course enables healthcare practitioners to improve overall quality of life and patient outcomes by engaging in meaningful discussions with patients about the potential of lifestyle medicine. Dr Ravinder Mamtani, WCM-Q professor of population health sciences and vice dean for population health and lifestyle medicine, and professor of medicine at the Centre for Global Health, said: “Integrating lifestyle medicine practices into mainstream healthcare is essential for advancing the quality and effectiveness of care.The course’s eighth offering reflects a rising urgency to integrate evidence-based lifestyle medicine into healthcare delivery.”The CLM programme featured a selection of local and international experts, including Dr Mamtani; Dr Sohaila Cheema, associate professor of clinical population health sciences and assistant dean for IPH; Dr Amit Abraham, assistant professor of clinical population health sciences and assistant director of IPH; Sarah Burshan, psychologist/learning support specialist and wellness counsellor at WCM-Q; Dr Ahmad al-Mulla, senior consultant of public health and disease control, and director of the Tobacco Control Center at Hamad Medical Corporation; and Dr Shahrad Taheri, professor of medicine at WCM-Q and senior consultant in diabetes and endocrinology at the National Obesity Treatment Centre at Hamad Medical Corporation.Dr Cheema said: “This year’s programme featured an impressive lineup of experts who provided participants with world-class insights and practical strategies to integrate lifestyle medicine in medical practice. We are also proud that the program reached full capacity, a clear sign of the high demand for, and growing recognition of lifestyle medicine as an essential component of healthcare.”

The UN's health agency pleaded Friday for thousands of people in desperate need of medical care to be allowed to leave Gaza, in what it said would be a "game-changer".The World Health Organisation has supported the medical evacuation of nearly 7,800 patients out of the Gaza Strip since the war with Israel began two years ago -- and estimates there are 15,000 people currently needing treatment outside the Palestinian territory.But a US-brokered ceasefire that came into effect on October 10 has not sped up the process -- the WHO has been able to evacuate only 41 critical patients since then.Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO's representative in the Palestinian territories, called for all crossings out of Gaza into Israel and Egypt to be opened up during the ceasefire -- not only for the entry of aid but for medical evacuations too."All medical corridors need to be opened," he said, particularly to hospitals in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as happened routinely before the war."It is vital and is the most cost-effective route. If that route opened, it would really be a... game-changer."Speaking via video link from Jerusalem, he told journalists in Geneva that two evacuations were planned for next week, but he wanted them every day and said the WHO was ready to take "a minimum of 50 patients per day".At the current rate, he said evacuating the 15,000 people needing treatment -- including 4,000 children -- would drag on for a decade or so.The WHO says more than 700 people have died waiting for medical evacuation since the war began.The UN health agency has called for more countries to step up and accept Gazan patients. While over 20 countries have taken patients, only a handful have done so in large numbers.Peeperkorn said only a fraction of Gaza's health system remained in service -- just 14 of 36 hospitals are even partially functional for a population topping two million.