Doha, May 28 (QNA) - The Department of Public Health at Qatar University’s College of Health Sciences (QU-CHS) commenced a two-day Simulation Exercise (SIMEX) on Wednesday, focusing on an epidemic outbreak.

The event brings together stakeholders from ministries, international humanitarian response partners, and students.

Building on Qatar’s National Health Strategy 2024-2027 and the country’s commitment to health system resilience and preparedness, the exercise will draw on multi-sector coordination during a simulated infectious-disease outbreak scenario. Participants will practice real-time decision-making across the emergency-management cycle—from early detection and risk communication to surge-capacity planning.

Dr. Hanan Abdul Rahim, Dean of the College of Health Sciences, said: “We view this activity as part of our commitment to supporting the preparation of public health and healthcare professionals. This accredited SIMEX blends academic rigour with hands-on practice, ensuring our graduates are well-versed in the skills needed to safeguard community health.”

For her part, Dr. Diana Maddah, Assistant Professor of Public Health and lead organizer, said: "SIMEX gives our students and frontline professionals a safe environment to hone critical skills, align with international standards, and support strengthening Qatar’s readiness for any public-health threat."

"The accreditation of this exercise, by both the MoPH- Department of Healthcare Professions and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburg, underscores QU’s role as a national hub for capacity building and evidence-based training," she noted.

Dr. Karam Adawi, Head of the Department of Public Health, said: “The Department of Public Health is committed to high quality education, which includes experiential learning, coordination with critical stakeholders, and bringing real-life scenarios into the classroom. This Exercise brings world-class expertise to our campus and directly strengthens national preparedness for future public-health emergencies.”

The exercise includes table-top discussions with structured injects, decision logs, and facilitated after-action review. Training is being conducted by experts from a WHO-accredited emergency medical team, with the participation of more than 30 students and faculty members from Qatar University, alongside representatives from several other relevant government entities. (QNA)