Qatar focuses on research to tackle diabetes risk factors
THE Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and its partners are developing a national research agenda for diabetes and its complications, to address risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in Qatar, through targeted local research.
The research agenda will address both basic science and clinical and translational research in diabetes. Research is one of the six pillars of Qatar National Diabetes Strategy 2016-2022.
As part of the development of the diabetes research agenda, MoPH organised a workshop recently which was attended by experts and representatives from Hamad Medical Corporation, Primary Health Care Corporation, Qatar National Research Fund, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Qatar Diabetes Association, Qatar University, Qatar Computing Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar and Sidra Medicine. The workshop aimed to identify the gaps in knowledge and implementation of research that aims to understand, prevent and treat diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk factors.
The event, led by Professor Shahrad Taheri, member of the National Diabetes Committee and chairman of its research subcommittee, and Professor Nicholas Wareham of the University of Cambridge, UK, discussed enhancing collaboration and sharing of expert knowledge in this regard.
Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Hamad bin J. al Thani, director of Public Health at the ministry, stated: “The National Diabetes Strategy has set the roadmap for diabetes prevention and care for Qatar. The aim is to develop a comprehensive research agenda that directly addr esses the serious health problem in Qatar. We are delighted to have the expertise and support in Qatar to conduct key research that will improve our population’s health as well as advance science.”
Professor Abou-Samra, cochair of the Qatar National Diabetes Committee said: “With the development of the research agenda, Qatar will be able to focus on key areas of research that will allow provision of the best care for diabetics.”
Dr Shahrad Taheri, chair of the National Diabetes Research Subcommittee, said: “There is already a wealth of excellent research with significant funding support in Qatar. Once the research agenda is in place, researchers and funders can concentrate on areas of research that will have direct impact on disease prevention and treatment.”