Day: 24 April 2024

Jordan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ayman Al Safadi discussed on Wednesday with his Irish counterpart Micheal Martin developments in Gaza and the efforts made to reach a ceasefire, ensure the protection of civilians and deliver sufficient and sustainable humanitarian aid to all parts of the Strip.

The two ministers also discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations between Jordan and Ireland, as well as a number of topics of mutual interest.

Source: Qatar News Agency

HH Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received a written message from the Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif related to bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to bolster them in all fields.

The message was received by Kuwait’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah during his meeting with the Ambassador of Pakistan to Kuwait Malik Muhammad Farooq.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of the Sultanate of Oman sent a written message to the President of Tunisia Kais Saied that touched on bilateral relations between the two countries.

The message was received by Tunisia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Nabil Ammar during his meeting today with Ambassador of Oman to Tunisia Hilal bin Abdullah Al Sinani.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: HE Director of the Arab Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nayef bin Abdullah Al Emadi met with HE Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Director of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Regional Bureau for Arab States Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, and his accompanying delegation, who is visiting the country.

During the meeting, they discussed cooperation relations between the State of Qatar and the UNDP, in addition to the developments of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Source: Qatar News Agency

HE the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Representative for the Gulf States and Yemen and Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Doha, Salah El Din Zaki Khaled, stressed the symposium’s importance in promoting science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) education in addition to technical and vocational training in Qatar and beyond, in line with the UNESCO strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training 2022-2029, which promotes youth employment, entrepreneurship, justice, gender equality, and facilitates the transition to green economies and sustainable societies.

Khaled told Qatar News Agency that the symposium’s timing is just right, given the significance of the topics it touches on, expressing His Excellency’s pride in the close cooperation and partnership between UNESCO and the State of Qatar.

His Excellency commended UNESCO’s cooperation with the UDST, hoping that the symposium brings forth many positive returns to new generations, for t
hem to be better equipped to meet the needs of the labor market.

Khaled added that the State of Qatar and its educational institutions are leaders in the topics addressed by the symposium, which is in line with UNESCO’s global strategy in that regard.

For his part, Head of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Project Office for the State of Qatar, Max Tunon, said that skill and lifelong learning are essential items on the ILO’s agenda, noting that skill development is vital for individuals to land in decent and productive jobs in addition to its importance for the prosperity of establishments and economies.

According to ILO global estimates, Tunon said, 63 percent of high-skilled jobs will be occupied by workers who lack sufficient qualifications in 2025, adding that due to the creation of new jobs and industries and the decline of others, in addition to job evolution, an increasing shortage of appropriate skills will occur, for which decisive and immediate action is needed.

The Head of the ILO Proj
ect Office for the State of Qatar said that the country has in place a clear road map for the future, manifested in the form of the 3rd National Development Strategy, which focuses on diversifying the economy and strengthening priority sectors, for which the private sector needs to be supplied with a future-ready workforce.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Hamad Medical Corporation succeeded in performing the first robotic kidney transplant surgery in Qatar for a patient in his seventies. The patient had been suffering from chronic kidney failure for several years, necessitating daily peritoneal dialysis, in addition to other health issues such as high blood pressure.

The surgical procedure took place at Hamad General Hospital, led by a specialized team in robotic surgery and organ transplantation under the direction of Dr. Abdullah Al Ansari, Chief Medical Officer at HMC and head of the surgical team that performed the surgery on the patient. The team also included Dr. Omar Abu Marzouq, Senior Consultant in Robotic Surgery and Deputy Head of the Surgical Research Department at HMC, and Dr. Omar Ali, Senior Consultant in Organ Transplantation and Deputy Head of the Organ Transplantation Department at HMC.

Dr. Abdullah Al Ansari explained, “The preparation for the surgical procedure took several weeks through an integrated multidisciplinary team of exper
ts at HMC, including robotic surgery specialists, organ transplant surgeons, anesthesiologists, nephrologists, and nursing staff, alongside the patient’s preparation. The surgical procedure was successfully performed using the Da Vinci robot, taking approximately two and a half hours only. During this time, the new kidney was transplanted from a deceased brain-dead donor after necessary examinations and ensuring tissue compatibility between the patient and the donor, following obtaining the necessary approvals from the donor’s family.” “This surgical advancement is an outcome of significant investment in healthcare sector in Qatar and has achieved many accomplishments in providing healthcare services to patients. This includes meeting the latest developments in medicine and surgery and adhering to the highest international recognized standards,” Al Ansari added.

Dr. Omar Abu Marzouq further confirmed the rapid recovery of the patient following the robotic surgical procedure. The patient was able to walk just
two days after the surgery, and the transplanted kidney gradually resumed its normal function. The patient continues to follow up with doctors regularly. This success can be attributed to robotic surgery, which offers many advantages, including reducing the risk of complications, shortening hospital stays, and a quick return to normal life activities. Additionally, it minimizes blood loss, aiding in speedy recovery, restoring normal bodily functions, and improving the patient’s quality of life.

Source: Qatar News Agency

HE Chairman of Libya’s High Council of State Dr. Mohammed Moftah Takala met with HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Libya Khaled bin Mohammed Zabin Al Dosari.

During the meeting, they discussed the bilateral cooperation relations between the two countries.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Doha will host the AHDAF QATAR – Arab Healthcare Development Annual Forum on April 29 – 30, which will be organized by the Arab Hospitals Federation (AHF) under the patronage of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in Qatar and supported by AHF strategic partner Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), and in the presence of several Arab health ministers.

In a statement on Wednesday, the MOPH said that the forum will be held in collaboration with the Arab League and the World Health Organization – EMRO, Arab Ministers of Health Council, and various healthcare authorities from the Arab world.

The ministry indicated that themed “Shaping Healthcare Future”, this year’s forum will address evolving challenges and leverage opportunities in the healthcare landscape. It involves integrating emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and telemedicine, enhancing patient care and optimizing healthcare delivery in addition to focusing on value-based care, sustainability, and Digital Healthcare transformation.

In this context, Advisor to HE the Minister of Public Health for Communication and Chair of the Supreme Committee for Healthcare Communications Ali Abdulla Al Khater, said: “We are pleased to work with our AHF partners to host this significant forum, which will bring together Arab Ministers of Health, key decision makers, top healthcare executives, healthcare professionals and healthcare workers from around the Arab countries to sit, network, discuss, share information and best practices and address the latest issues related to the industry.” He added: “Through our participation in such forums and large conferences, we are keen in the State of Qatar to exchange best practices and successful experiences, and maximize the benefit of distinguished international expertise, which contributes to the enhancement of the healthcare sector and promotes the health of the community in line the Qatar National Vision 2023.” For her part, AHF Chief Executive Officer Alice Yammine Boueiz said: “The AHF continues its long-sta
nding efforts to highlight distinguished health sectors in the Arab world. Qatar has set a goal of achieving world-class healthcare standards to be a global leader and it has played a multifaceted role in healthcare, with a focus on improving healthcare and contributing to many health initiatives through investment, research, and humanitarian efforts. Qatar is characterized by modern infrastructure, comprehensive services, regulatory oversight, and a commitment to excellence in patient care. The government continues to invest in the sector to meet the growing healthcare needs of its population and enhance the quality of healthcare delivery.” She added: “Our choice of Qatar to hold such a significant event reflects the distinguished and strategic partnership between AHF and HMC that has enabled us to present a sophisticated image of Arab integration and constructive health cooperation for fifteen years.” The forum is characterized by a high-level presence of decision-makers in the Arab health sector, including
ministers, heads of Arab health authorities, government officials, representatives from the League of Arab States and relevant regional and international organizations, and key decision-makers in the healthcare sector from major institutions and international companies.

The forum will gather directors of public and private hospitals, doctors, administrators, and health workers from several countries, most notably Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, USA, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, and India.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: The Qatar University (QU) organized the first regional edition of the MENA Business Schools Alliance for Sustainability (MEBAS) Sustainability Competition.

In a statement on Wednesday, QU indicated that the competition represented an educational simulation challenge designed to foster an understanding of sustainability through interactive applied learning. This challenge allows students to balance profitability and efficiency for the company with the conservation of resources and the environment.

QU noted that this innovative competition brought together student teams from across the MENA region to share practical strategies for sustainable business practices under the theme “Promoting Sustainability through Play and Learning.” The competition, the first of its kind in the region, focused on integrating academic knowledge with real-life business scenarios to promote sustainability and ethical leadership among future business leaders.

Dean of the College of Business and Economics at QU and Chair of ME
BAS Prof. Dr. Rana Sobh said: “The launch of the Regional Sustainability Competition is an important step in the journey of promoting sustainability in the region, and we at QU’s College of Business and Economics are proud to have played our part in guiding this inspiring effort that reflects students’ engagement with the competition and their serious desire to achieve a positive change in society.” In turn, Associate Professor at the College of Business and Economics at QU Dr. Hani Kamel said: “The initiative’s main areas of focus include education, research, and connecting students and academics with the business community. We aim to increase awareness and engagement among our students, whom we see as the future leaders of our region, equipping them with the skills and experiences needed to enter a new job market.” For her part, Associate Chair of the Management Department at Prince Sultan University Dr. Nouf Al Magoushi said: “The competition plays a crucial role in broadening students’ horizons and enhanc
ing their networking capabilities, in addition to a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainability and environmental conservation.” “Such experiences significantly contribute to preparing students for a successful professional future. It also provides them the opportunity to meet students from other universities, thereby enriching their educational experience and making it more comprehensive and interactive,” she added.

The winning teams were honored, with Qatar University’s College of Business and Economics winning first place, Prince Sultan University from Saudi Arabia’s College of Business Administration winning second place, and the American University of Beirut’s Suliman S. Olayan School of Business winning third place.

The event saw the participation of ten university teams from across the Middle East, including prestigious institutions, along with QU’s team hosting and participating in the event.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), in cooperation with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), Sidra Medicine, and the private health sector, launched an awareness campaign to observe World Immunization Week from April 24 – 30 under the theme (Humanly Possible: Saving lives through immunization).

In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry said that the campaign aims to highlight the importance of vaccines and how immunization contributes to saving the lives of community members against vaccine-preventable diseases whose complications can lead to death, in addition to supporting community members to increase coverage of immunization against diseases that can be prevented through immunization for themselves and their children.

The MOPH indicated that awareness messages about the significance of vaccinations will be posted on all social media platforms, as well as enhancing awareness among visitors of a number of primary health care centers, private centers, and cli
nics.

In the statement, the ministry pointed out that the State of Qatar has one of the best vaccination programs in the world. The MOPH, in cooperation with its partners, provides free and high-quality vaccination services in various regions of the State of Qatar, as the routine vaccination schedule adopted in Qatar provides protection for children from more than 16 diseases. The ministry has also adopted a system of combining vaccines to reduce the number of doses received by the child while maintaining the same protection and effectiveness.

The ministry explained that vaccinations are provided in the country for all age groups with special attention to newborns, children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly, as well as pregnant women and other vulnerable groups. The MOPH noted that achieving high immunization coverage has contributed to enhancing the health of the population of Qatar and eliminating many communicable diseases. This is cohesively fulfilled through a comprehensive healthcare system that r
elies on a proactive preventive approach and enhancing people’s immunity through immunization.

The Seventy-third World Health Assembly adopted a decision in which it endorsed the new global vision and overarching strategy for immunization Agenda 2030. This vision, developed by WHO and its immunization partners, calls for expanded access to vaccination at all stages of life, as one of the strategic priorities of this new decade.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: The Center for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly (Ehsan), an affiliate of the Ministry of Social Development and Family’s (MSDF) Qatar Social Work Foundation, organized the 7th Research And Innovation Competition 2024, raising social awareness of the issues and needs of the elderly.

The competition was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) and Lusail University.

The university hosted the student research exhibition in the attendance of a lineup of officials from the MSDF and MoEHE, and Lusail University, along with a lineup of senior guests.

The competition saw 138 male and female students from 37 secondary and high schools participate with a total of 46 research project submissions, supervised by 46 research supervisors, and eight arbitrators to evaluate the research projects. The winner’s research projects will be announced on May 6.

The research projects focused on the elderly, the issues and challenges they face, their needs, ways to protect them,
as well as ways to enhance attitudes towards them and activate their social role.

Commenting on the event, Acting Director of the Planning and Development Office at Ehsan Al Anoud Mohammed Al Marri said that schools’ eager and active participation in the competition is testimony to the awareness of the educational sector and the students’ appreciation of the elderly.

Al Marri added that Ehsan continues to organize this research competition given the State of Qatar’s great interest in research and its role in innovation and development, as well as stemming from the center’s belief in empowering newer generations and students to find solutions for social phenomena and issues of the elderly. It also hopes to forge an intergenerational connection and understanding.

Source: Qatar News Agency

HE Assistant Undersecretary for Migrant Labour Affairs at the Ministry of Labour, Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman Al-Thani, delivered a speech at the opening session of the symposium, pointing out that the seminar’s topic lies at the core of the goals and visions that Qatar is striving to achieve through its comprehensive reform program, which is guided by the Qatar National Vision 2030. The vision focuses on key areas such as education, healthcare, the environment, migrant worker rights, and the development of the national workforce. These efforts aim to transform Qatar into a nation capable of achieving sustainable development and securing a high standard of living for its people, generation after generation. The vision is built on four pillars: human, social, economic, and environmental development.

She emphasized the launch of the Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030) as a crucial step towards achieving the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030.

She explained that the state outlined several workf
orce priorities aligned with the national vision. These include protecting the rights of all workers, creating more private sector jobs for Qataris, and ensuring a skilled workforce that can meet the needs of a more competitive, diversified, and knowledge-based economy.

Her Excellency stressed the interconnected nature of these goals, which necessitate strategic planning and investment in laws, policies, institutions, and programs that govern the labor market. These efforts reflect the state’s growing focus on technology and sustainable development, with the ultimate aim of developing a highly qualified workforce to achieve both societal prosperity and global resilience.

Assistant Undersecretary for Migrant Labour Affairs at the Ministry of Labour reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to extensive labor reforms enacted in recent years to further strengthen and protect the rights of migrant workers. The state values the contributions of migrant workers and considers them integral partners in Qatar’s development and
progress.

Her Excellency underscored that protecting and promoting migrant worker rights is a strategic choice for Qatar as human development, along with the protection and promotion of human rights, lies at the forefront of the nation’s priorities. She attributed these achievements to strong political will, a supportive environment for comprehensive labor market reform at the legislative and institutional levels, and the technical and financial support provided by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other partners, including international institutions and non-governmental organizations.

In closing, Her Excellency reiterated Qatar’s growing focus on science and technology, and its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She pointed to the state’s continued pursuit of reform programs and its active role within the international and regional community to solidify these achievements and enhance performance through initiatives and partnerships with stakeholders.

Acting Dir
ector of Education Management at the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Abrar Ibrahim Al Saleem, emphasized that the agenda of this symposium, led by educational pathways to prepare future cadres, constitutes substantial support for a serious launch of academic programs in specialized fields required by the current and future labor market.

She expressed her hope that all topics would receive the attention and support of participants to enhance and activate the prudent march aimed at achieving the desired goals, thereby ensuring prosperity, growth, and leadership for the GCC countries and their people.

Source: Qatar News Agency