By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: Initial work has started on an initiative to map the genetic code of citizens for better diagnoses and treatment of diseases in Qatar, according to a senior health expert.
As a beginning, steps are taken to build infrastructure for the ‘Qatar Genome Project,’ announced by H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser at the first World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) in 2013.
Understanding of genetics allows safer drug prescription, and more effective treatment of diseases and conditions that affect patients.
The project will be implemented in three phases: Collecting samples, analysing them, and then working on tailored medicine. It will aim to understand the diseases that affect Qataris.
“It’s a very important and complex project. We are looking at the ethical dimension; there is national steering committee that is overseeing the project,” said Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, Managing Director, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), yesterday.
“Lot of work has been made in building blocks, the finding and collaborating with partners to set up infrastructure,” she told a press conference ahead of the WISH 2015 summit.
A special panel on ‘Healthcare and Ethics’ during the 2015 Summit will focus on the development and implementation of ‘Genomic Medicine’ and the innovation and ethical challenges behind this revolutionary new medicine.
The panel will be in partnership with the Research Centre for Islamic Legislation and Ethics, a centre of Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies at Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
WISH 2015 will also address some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges, including affordable cancer care, dementia, patient safety, communicating complex health messages, diabetes, mental health and wellbeing of children and young people and universal healthcare coverage.
It will be held on February 17- 18, bringing around 1,000 delegates from more than 60 countries.
Through a global community of influential leaders and experts in policy, research and business, evidence-based research and recommendations produced by WISH are inspiring meaningful change in healthcare practices across the world. “We are looking for the best innovations, which are evidence- based,” said Professor Lord Ara Darzi, Executive Chair, WISH.
Following a competitive application process, 15 innovation showcases will be held at the summit, along with findings of the new generation in healthcare at the ‘ WISH Young Innovators’ segment. The Peninsula
