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The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) recently organised an awareness workshop for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder on healthy nutrition and weight gain awareness, in collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Qatar Foundation’s Renad Academy. The workshop is part of MoPH’s efforts to promote the health of individuals with autism spectrum disorder in line with the National Health Strategy 2024-2030 and the Qatar National Vision 2030, which prioritises the health of the individual and family. The workshop aimed to promote awareness of the healthy eating habits of their children with autism spectrum disorder, how to deal with their nutrition-related challenges, and raise awareness of the importance of proper nutrition and its role in preventing weight gain and associated health complications, with a focus on the specific nutritional challenges that children with autism spectrum disorder may face, and ways to deal with them in safe ways. The workshop reviewed the importance of adopting healthy eating habits and practising physical activity, while promoting awareness of nutrition problems associated with autism spectrum disorder. It highlighted appropriate intervention methods for prevention and comprehensive health support, in addition to providing practical guidelines to help parents encourage their children to adopt healthy and sustainable eating habits. The workshop also included presentations by nutrition and public health specialists from the MoPH and HMC which addressed the basics of balanced nutrition, ways to prepare appropriate healthy meals, mechanisms to promote positive nutritional behaviour in children, and the need for periodic follow-up with nutritionists and healthcare professionals to contribute in preventing weight gain and achieving healthy growth for children. 

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) urged those most at risk to receive the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine, which is currently available at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) hospitals and primary health care centres.This comes as part of the Ministry's commitment to protecting the community from infectious diseases and limiting their spread, in addition to updating preventive policies and guidelines in line with the latest scientific developments, including developing health regulations, updating recommendations and incorporating the latest internationally approved vaccines within the national vaccination programme.The ministry confirmed that the RSV vaccine has been approved by international health organisations, due to its high effectiveness in preventing the virus and its complications, especially among high-risk groups. The vaccine is also characterised by a high level of safety and limited side effects. It has been included in the national vaccination schedule as a recommended vaccine in the State of Qatar and many countries around the world.MoPH explained that the groups most at risk of contracting the virus and who are strongly advised to get vaccinated include pregnant women to ensure the protection of both mother and infant at 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy, people aged 60 and over, people between the ages of 18 and 59 with chronic diseases such as heart, lung, diabetes, and kidneys diseases, and people with weak immune system due to medications or diseases that weaken immunity.MoPH urged all target groups, especially pregnant women, to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and their infants, noting that the vaccine provides high protection for up to two years.RSV is a common virus that causes symptoms similar to the common cold. Still, it can lead to severe lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic diseases. Global statistics indicate that this virus causes more than 100,000 deaths annually worldwide, in addition to 3.6 million hospitalisations. 

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. 

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) concluded a four-day workshop on Health System Performance Assessment (HSPA) Indicators at the Itqan Simulation and Training Centre.The event brought together more than 300 participants from the public, private and semi-public health sectors. Sixteen speakers from the MoPH, Hamad Medical Corporation and Primary Health Care Corporation contributed to the programme.The workshop focused on strengthening a shared, data-driven approach to understanding how Qatar’s health system performs, a statement said. Sessions covered key areas such as patient safety, access to care, clinical effectiveness and system capacity.Participants explored how indicators are defined, measured and interpreted, and discussed how these insights can be used to improve services for patients and communities.The event provided an opportunity for participants to engage directly with indicator owners, clarify reporting methods and promote consistency across facilities. The MoPH highlighted that standardised and benchmarked performance measurement remains essential to achieving excellence in healthcare.The workshop marked an important step in supporting this commitment, the statement added. 

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), in collaboration with healthcare institutions across Qatar, recently organised a wide range of important activities and events as part of Qatar Infection Prevention and Control Week 2025.This year’s campaign embraced the theme “Stand UPPP for Infection Prevention” as a unifying call for collective action. The UPPP acronym stands for Unite, Protect, Prevent, Prevail — four fundamental principles which underscore what it takes to stop the spread of infection and build safer, healthier environments for all.The Ministry emphasised that these pillars highlight the importance of collaboration and integration between all healthcare professionals to achieve the shared goal of reducing infections and protecting both patients and staff.As part of the celebrations, the MoPH organised a CPD-accredited virtual symposium that explored crucial topics such as outbreak management, the role of artificial intelligence and modern technologies in infection control, environmental protection, and the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork.The event featured an array of international, regional and local speakers, and attracted over 700 participants from diverse healthcare facilities throughout Qatar — demonstrating the sector’s strong commitment to knowledge sharing and advancing expertise in this vital field.The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Section, Healthcare Quality Department, also hosted a creative competition for designing social media messages and materials. This initiative aimed to foster innovation and effective engagement in spreading infection prevention awareness across the country. Nearly 40 entries were received from over a dozen healthcare institutions, reflecting the dedication and creativity of healthcare workers in promoting the culture of infection control.Throughout the week, healthcare organisations conducted internal events — including educational lectures, awareness exhibitions, and competitions — to further enhance staff awareness, encourage ongoing adherence to IPC practices, and raise standards in healthcare settings.The IPC and AMR team at MoPH also conducted site visits to several health facilities, joining staff in their celebrations and reaffirming the core value of unity in advancing sustainable infection control efforts. These visits served to promote cooperation and integration among various institutions, ensuring the development and implementation of effective infection prevention strategies. 

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has recently organised a series of training workshops for healthcare staff in both government and private schools, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC).The aim is to develop skills in the early detection of visual problems by implementing a school-based eye screening programme.The workshops saw extensive participation from government, private, and community schools across Qatar.Participants were trained in methods for assessing visual acuity, recognising indicators of vision disorders, and responding to eye injuries, in addition to referring cases requiring further care to health centres and hospitals.Director of Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Programmes Department at MoPH Sheikh Dr Mohamed Hamad al-Thani, emphasised that vision screening in the early years of life is a key foundation for promoting healthy visual development in children and supports the early identification and treatment of visual problems. He noted that studies have confirmed children's reliance on their sense of sight for learning during their formative years.He also highlighted the importance of strengthening co-operation and coordination between the MoPH, the MoEHE, the PHCC, HMC, and the private health sector, all of which contribute to the success of the school eye screening programme.He praised the central and active role played by the school health framework in prevention and treatment, through services that include health education and medical screening, and which aim to provide a safe and healthy school environment.PHCC Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr Hala al-Qadi explained that early detection of vision problems in children is an essential step in preventing visual impairment. Timely intervention offers effective treatment opportunities and prevents the progression of cases to more complex stages.She added that many conditions, such as short-sightedness, amblyopia, and strabismus, can be successfully treated if identified early, positively impacting public health, academic performance, and the psychological and social development of the child.These efforts reaffirm the crucial role of the family in maintaining their children's ocular health by adopting healthy lifestyles, limiting screen time, and encouraging children to engage in physical activity and outdoor pursuits for overall bodily health and good vision.

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.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has announced the withdrawal of a bottled water product originating from Lebanon, under the brand name "Tannourine," from local markets as a precautionary measure. This follows a notification issued by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health confirming laboratory evidence of contamination in samples of the product with the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa.The Ministry of Public Health warns consumers against consuming the mentioned product and urges them to return it to points of sale or dispose of it safely by opening the bottle, pouring its contents down the drain, and discarding the empty container in the designated waste bin.The Ministry has issued instructions to importing companies, distributors, and relevant consumer associations to remove the product from store shelves. Samples of the product have also been collected and sent to the Ministry's Food Safety Laboratories for testing to ensure their safety. In addition, the Ministry's Food Safety Department inspection team has conducted field visits to retail outlets to verify that the product has been removed.Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common environmental bacterium found in soil and water and may, in rare cases, cause infections in humans, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), in partnership with the National Planning Council, is conducting the National Immunization Coverage Survey in the State of Qatar. The fieldwork for this survey will take place from Sept. 24 to Dec. 24, 2025. This National Immunization Coverage Survey is the first of its kind in the country. It aims to scientifically and systematically measure vaccination coverage rates and their related determinants. The survey is designed to strengthen health security and ensure the continued provision of the highest levels of protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. The survey targeted a random sample of more than 11,000 households, representing all residents of Qatar, both citizens and expatriates, who have children aged between one year and under seven years. Data will be collected from the children's guardians through home visits and by reviewing their vaccination cards. The Ministry of Public Health held a press conference today, to announce the survey, during which the Director of the Health Protection and Communicable Disease Control Department at the Ministry, Dr. Hamad Eid Al Rumaihi, Director of Statistical Operations at the National Planning Council Saud Matar Al Shammari, spoke. Dr. Hamad Eid Al Rumaihi said, "This national survey reaffirms the Ministry of Public Health's commitment to protecting individuals and society in Qatar from health risks related to vaccine-preventable communicable diseases." He added: "The survey results will provide a comprehensive national database that will help develop the national immunization program, improve vaccination outreach to all targeted groups in Qatar, and continue making progress in addressing challenges." For his part, Saud Matar Al Shammari confirmed that all preparations have been completed for the commencement of the fieldwork, noting that participating researchers have received intensive training to ensure the quality of data collection and to guarantee genuine representation of the various segments of Qatari society. He stressed that all data collected will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. He added: "Immunizing children directly contributes to achieving the third Sustainable Development Goal (Good Health and Well-being) by reducing deaths and diseases that vaccines can prevent. It is an effective and cost-efficient health intervention to strengthen health systems and achieve universal health coverage." The survey will be implemented in collaboration with the World Health Organization and in accordance with international standards adopted in this field, ensuring the data quality and the reliability of the results. This collaboration also extends the strategic partnership between the MoPH and the National Planning Council, which has previously resulted in the implementation of several national health surveys, such as the National Survey for Measuring Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases, the National Ageing Survey, and other surveys that have provided essential data to support and develop health policies and services in Qatar. It is worth mentioning that the National Immunization Program at the MoPH, established in 1979, continues to develop its services regularly. Vaccinations are free of charge at 31 health centers affiliated with the Primary Health Care Corporation and 71 private health institutions. The national immunization schedule includes 15 vaccines that protect against 17 diseases, from birth up to 18 years of age. The Ministry of Public Health invites all families participating in the survey to fully cooperate with the field teams and researchers. Participation in this survey is an essential national contribution towards building a healthy and safe future for our children. The public may contact the unified health sector call center at (16000) for any inquiries regarding the survey and its field team.