Doha, April 07 (QNA) - The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Public Health and healthcare institutions, is participating in the celebration of World Health Day, which this year is held under the theme "Together for health. Stand with science," chosen by the World Health Organization to highlight the power of scientific collaboration to protect health and to strengthen countries' research capacities in order to increase equity in access to healthcare.

Qatar attaches great importance to excellence in health research, development, and innovation, including updating supportive policies, attracting talent and developing infrastructure, as well as supporting continuous professional development for health practitioners to enhance the outcomes and quality of healthcare provided to patients and to drive health innovation.

Marking the celebration, HE Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud said: "The State of Qatar is committed to improving the health and well-being of the Qatari community."

HE the Minister of Public Health added: "This year's World Health Day theme is aligned with the ambition of the National Health Strategy 2024-2030, which is to achieve 'a health-focused society supported by an integrated health system based on clinical excellence, sustainability and innovation', supported by many important national initiatives aimed at improving health and quality of life."

Qatar is witnessing significant progress in the health research, with a focus on innovation and precision medicine. These efforts, led by the Ministry of Public Health in cooperation with research institutions, aim to build an integrated health system that enhances the quality of life of the population and addresses future health challenges, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

The Ministry of Public Health leads the strategic direction for health research through the National Health Strategy and within an advanced legislative framework represented by Law No. (6) of 2025 on the Regulation of Health Research, which ensures that biomedical and medical research is conducted in accordance with the highest ethical and scientific standards that protect the rights and safety of participants.

This, in turn, supports the development of innovative therapeutic technologies and medicines and strengthens collaboration with international research bodies.

Health research centers in Qatar - such as Qatar Precision Health Institute, Sidra Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation and Primary Health Care Corporation - contribute to a strong focus on preventive and curative care, translating scientific discoveries into practical applications that improve patient outcomes, and strengthening the integration between knowledge and practice.

The approach adopted by research centers in the country also contributes to strengthening public health protection. Research helps to develop integrated care pathways for non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes, and to enhance surveillance systems for communicable diseases.

In the area of international cooperation, three collaborating centers from Qatar have been designated by the World Health Organization to support its programs: the Biomedical Research Center at Qatar University, the Hamad Trauma Center, and the Geriatrics and Long-Term Care Department at Hamad Medical Corporation.

The Ministry of Public Health indicated that the National Continuing Professional Development Accreditation System and the National Continuing Professional Development Program, both launched by the Ministry in 2016, have helped ensure the quality of continuing professional education activities undertaken by health practitioners and improved the outcomes and quality of care provided to patients.

The Ministry noted that more than 100,000 accredited professional development activities have been offered through the Department of Healthcare Professions at the Ministry of Public Health, providing more than 250,000 educational hours and more than 3.85 million learning opportunities, in addition to 14.3 million accredited continuing professional development hours for health practitioners in Qatar since the program was launched.

This has been achieved alongside a high compliance rate among health practitioners, reaching 97.8 per cent (corrected compliance) with the requirements of the National Continuing Professional Development Program.

The National Continuing Professional Development Accreditation System has also been recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education as one of the first four continuing professional development accreditation systems worldwide to achieve such distinction.

Furthermore, the National Continuing Professional Development Accreditation System and the National Continuing Professional Development Program have concluded substantial equivalency agreements for the accreditation and mutual recognition of continuing professional development credits with a number of the world’s leading continuing professional development accreditation bodies and programs, including the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education in the United States of America, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

The Ministry of Public Health also launched the Qatar Medical Specialization Certificate (Qatar Board of Medical Specialties) in July 2020, with the aim of granting physicians advanced specialist qualifications in various medical disciplines to ensure their ability to provide a high standard of medical care in the country. Around 289 physicians have obtained the certificate across 14 specialty programs.

On the occasion of World Health Day, the World Health Organization has called for celebrating the power of scientific collaboration to protect the health of people, animals, plants, and the planet. The campaign spotlights both scientific achievements and the multilateral cooperation needed to turn evidence into action - through a strong focus on the One Health approach. The Organization has also called for supporting science to protect life, rebuild trust, and secure a healthier future. (QNA)