DOHA: More than 300 healthcare professionals from Qatar and other countries gathered at the first Qatar International Conference on Safe Anticoagulation Management, hosted by Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Pharmacy Department and Al Wakra Hospital, to discuss new advances and trends in anticoagulation care and research.
“The forum, the first of its kind in the region, highlighted the work of Al Wakra Hospital’s pharmacy-managed Anticoagulation Clinic (supported by cardiologists), established three years ago to improve patient outcomes. It is the first of its kind in Qatar,” said Dr Ezeldin Soaly, Senior Consultant, Head of Cardiology Department at the hospital, and Conference Organizing Committee Chairman.
Anticoagulation therapy helps fight cardiovascular diseases by reducing the body’s ability to form clots in the blood and is used to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots in veins and arteries.
The growing problem of cardiovascular diseases in Qatar, a major cause of death, disability and impaired quality of life, underscores the clinic’s role in improving patient outcomes.
Dr Soaly said the anticoagulation service helps patients better understand their condition and manage their medication to maximise its benefits and avoid side effects such as bleeding complications from improper medication use or dosage.
“The clinic offers specialities, including cardiology, surgery, neurology and orthopaedics, and has benefited almost 2,000 patients since it was created.
“Our achievement in establishing the clinic in accordance with the highest standards to meet the needs of our patients was recognised by HMC’s leadership when we were awarded the Best Clinical Practice Award under HMC’s Stars of Excellence Awards Program in 2014,” he added.
The two-day forum was held in partnership with Qatar University’s College of Pharmacy and featured speakers from HMC, the college, Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar, the US, the UAE, Oman and Kuwait.
“We are happy to collaborate with the hospital’s Cardiology Department on the conference, which gives participants an opportunity to share ideas and discuss the most advanced practices in anticoagulation care.
“It is an excellent example of interprofessional education at HMC,” said Dr Rasha Al Anany, Director of Pharmacy at the hospital, and Head, Pharmacy Education, HMC.
The Peninsula
