Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has recently organised the National Workshop for Setting Health Research Priorities in the State of Qatar with broad participation from representatives of research and academic institutions, healthcare organisations in the State of Qatar, and the World Health Organisation (WHO), as part of ongoing national efforts to advance the health research system and achieve the highest levels of quality in alignment with national priorities and the country’s strategic visions.
During the workshop, structured voting sessions were held on the research priorities derived from preparatory meetings and discussions, with voting conducted using clear scientific evaluation criteria, enabling all participants to assess the priorities in an objective and transparent manner.
Constructive scientific sessions were also held, during which experts discussed preliminary outputs and presented in-depth perspectives that reflect the needs of the upcoming phase and the realities of the health system in Qatar.
This scientific interaction contributed to producing precise outputs that reflect a national consensus on the most important and pressing research directions.
Participants also analysed and reviewed the voting results, with a focus on the practical and operational aspects of the selected priorities, including available capacities, challenges, and requirements for the next phase to ensure the effective implementation of the proposed research.
In her opening remarks, Director of the Health Research Regulations Department at the MoPH, Dr Amany Dahir expressed her appreciation to the participating institutions for their commitment to supporting the development of health research in Qatar, noting that the national workshop represents an important step towards enhancing the quality of health research and strengthening its impact on health policies and system needs, in support of the country’s development and health objectives.
In her closing remarks, WHO Representative to the State of Qatar, Dr Rayana Bou Haka expressed her gratitude to all participants and stressed the importance of continued cooperation between the Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organisation in supporting the trajectory of health research in the State of Qatar.
The WHO team participating in the workshop commended the extensive and systematic efforts made during the preparation and planning stages and provided constructive feedback that will help move towards a more integrated phase in defining and implementing national research priorities, ensuring their alignment with best global practices and the latest scientific methodologies.
At the conclusion of the workshop, commemorative shields were presented to key contributors and stakeholders in this national initiative, in recognition of their efforts and vital roles in ensuring the event’s success.
