AGP Executive Report

Primary Health Care in Qatar: PHCC rolled out a campaign to promote annual health checkups, aiming to get more people in for routine screening. Oral Health Focus: PHCC also organised an oral health awareness event, including dental screenings for Qatar Rail staff. Urgent Care Expansion: PHCC expanded urgent care services for adults and children, and extended 24-hour urgent care to the Al Waab Health Center. Heat & Workplace Safety: Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health ran an awareness workshop on heat stress for occupational health and safety officials as extreme summer conditions raise health risks. Sidra Medicine Leadership: Sidra Medicine honoured the Class of 2026 and expanded next-generation healthcare leadership programmes. Regional Health Aid: Qatar supported earthquake response in Venezuela via medical supplies and relief shipments coordinated with Jordan. Global Health Context: A UN-linked report claims about 2% of Gaza’s children were killed in Israeli operations, intensifying international pressure and complicating India’s diplomatic balancing act.

Preventive Care in Qatar: PHCC has launched an Annual Health Check SMS Awareness Campaign, inviting eligible Qatari patients to book via self-referral by calling 107, aiming to boost early detection and disease prevention. Next-Gen Healthcare Leadership: Sidra Medicine marked its Class of 2026 graduation, with 75 trainees completing residency, fellowship, undergraduate and sponsored professional programmes—another step in building Qatar’s future healthcare workforce. Diabetes Drug Push for MENA: Daewoong Pharmaceutical signed a W145.2bn export and supply deal to launch its Type 2 diabetes drug Envlo across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq and Egypt, with approvals targeted for Saudi this year and launches starting in 2027. Youth Health & Safety Online: YouTube rolled out new child safety controls in the region, including supervised kid accounts with default protections and tools for parents to set daily Shorts limits. Regional Health-Impact Watch: Qatar reported “positive progress” in US-Iran indirect talks in Doha, as negotiations continue around ending the war and Strait of Hormuz shipping—an issue that can affect health through food and fuel stability.

Preventive Care Push in Qatar: The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has launched a public awareness campaign encouraging eligible patients to book annual health checkups, using text-message invitations and a simple self-referral route via 107; adults 18+ can access the service without a prior appointment, aiming to boost early detection and preventive engagement. Qatar’s Health Innovation in Focus: A separate PHCC update highlights expanded urgent care services for adults and children at Al Waab Health Center, reinforcing easier access to timely care. Medical Research from Qatar: A new meta-analysis in the Journal of Neuroimmunology reports monoclonal antibody outcomes in NMOSD vary by AQP4-IgG serostatus, with a Qatar-based lead author (Hamad Medical Corporation) contributing to the findings. Regional Health & Safety Context: Amid ongoing Strait of Hormuz disruptions and broader Middle East instability, reports note continued risks to navigation and civilian life, underscoring the health and wellbeing ripple effects of regional crises.

Qatar Health Services: PHCC teamed up with Qatar Rail for an oral health awareness drive, including dental screenings via a mobile unit and guidance on preventive care and regular check-ups. Qatar Health Services: PHCC also expanded urgent care for adults and children at Al Waab Health Center, adding more 24-hour access for everyday health needs. Qatar Health & Research: Sidra Medicine launched a specialized Microbiome Service to support more precise care for women and children, aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment planning. Community Wellness: Qatar’s Primary Health Care Corporation rolled out mental health promotion for senior citizens, alongside quality-of-life mental health initiatives. Global Health Emergency: In Venezuela’s earthquake aftermath, a makeshift hospital set up in a former fast-food outlet highlights ongoing strain on health systems as deaths and injuries continue to rise. Climate & Health Risk: A dangerous heatwave in the US Midwest and Great Lakes is pushing heat index readings above 100°F, raising urgent risks for vulnerable people.

Cardiac Care in Crisis Zones: Qatar Red Crescent launched a specialist cardiac surgery and catheterization program in Idlib, northwest Syria, creating heart surgery and intensive cardiac care units at Al Hidaya Hospital, renovating facilities, supplying equipment, and training staff—aiming to support about 3,000 free cardiac patients each year. Qatar Health Access Updates: Primary Health Care Corporation expanded urgent care for adults and children at Al Waab Health Center, while Hamad Medical Corporation rolled out two advanced paediatric allergy diagnostic services to strengthen child-focused care. Heat & Wellness Safety: Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health promoted heat-stress awareness for occupational health and safety officials, and Qatar Community Services (QCS) launched its “No Safe Tan” campaign warning against tanning beds. Healthy Travel Guidance: MoPH launched healthy travel tips to help residents and visitors stay well during journeys. Youth Sports for Wellbeing: Qatar Olympic Committee unveiled the Team Qatar Summer 2026 Youth Programme, designed to build healthy lifestyles, physical and mental wellbeing, and life skills through sport and education. Local Health Services Expansion: Municipality Ministry opened a medical clinic for over 3,200 workers, boosting on-site healthcare access.

Skin Cancer Warning: Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) is urging people to avoid tanning beds, saying UV-emitting devices are Group 1 carcinogens and can raise melanoma risk—especially if indoor tanning starts before age 35. Paediatric Allergy Care: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) launched two advanced paediatric allergy tests—skin allergy testing and food/drug challenge tests—to improve early diagnosis and guide safer treatment. Urgent Care Access: Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) expanded 24-hour urgent care for adults and children by adding Al Waab Health Center, bringing adult centres to 16 and children’s to 11. Workplace Health: Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality inaugurated a medical clinic at the General Cleanliness Department Complex for over 3,200 workers, offering screening, primary care and medicines in two daily shifts. Healthy Travel Tips: The Ministry of Public Health rolled out summer travel guidance focused on hydration and balanced nutrition to prevent common travel-related health issues. Drug Abuse Prevention: Religious leaders across about 600 mosques delivered sermons for World Drug Day, warning communities about the health and social harms of narcotics.

PHCC Urgent Care Boost: Primary Health Care Corporation expanded 24-hour urgent care for adults and children by adding Al Waab Health Center, bringing adult centres to 16 and paediatric centres to 11 across Qatar. Pediatric Allergy Diagnostics: Hamad Medical Corporation launched two advanced paediatric allergy services—skin allergy testing and food/drug challenge tests—aimed at earlier, more accurate diagnosis and safer, specialist-led care. Workforce Health Access: Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality inaugurated a new medical clinic at the General Cleanliness Department Complex, serving 3,200+ workers with screening, primary care and medicines across two daily shifts. Maritime Safety Advisory: Qatar advised vessel operators to suspend sailing after regional military activity; authorities reported a Qatari citizen killed by shrapnel and another person injured, with investigations ongoing. Regional Incident Response: Qatar’s Shura Council highlighted preparedness and rapid response following the Ras Laffan factory explosion and also extended condolences for the maritime shrapnel death.

Workplace Heat Safety: Qatar’s Ministry of Labour says workers can report Summer Working Hours Decision and occupational safety violations via hotline 40488264 or email, urging quick reporting to prevent heat-related illness. Public Health Awareness: MoPH ran a heat stress workshop for about 160 occupational health and safety officials, focusing on risks, symptoms, and prevention for outdoor workers. Clinical Research & Innovation: Hamad Medical Corporation signed an MoU with Boehringer Ingelheim to strengthen clinical research, expand HMC’s Clinical Trials Unit capabilities, and support innovation and workforce development. Medical Education Growth: Naseem Healthcare is expanding its Naseem Centre for Learning and Development, boosting Continuing Medical Education for 500+ professionals over two years. Community Health Support: PHCC’s Al Mashaf Health Center marked World Blood Donor Day with an event linking blood donation to hypertension awareness and prevention. Food Security in Crisis: Qatar Red Crescent Society, with Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation, launched Gaza relief distributing 11,942 vegetable parcels and hygiene kits to 71,652 displaced people, aiming to cut hygiene-related disease risks. Healthcare Training Spotlight: Qatar University’s Qatar SimTeam won third place worldwide at SESAM 2026, competing across medicine, nursing, and pharmacy.

Heat Safety in Qatar: Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health ran a heat stress awareness workshop for about 160 occupational health and safety officials, focusing on symptoms, prevention, and monitoring to protect outdoor workers during summer. Healthcare Innovation Deal: Hamad Medical Corporation signed an MoU with Boehringer Ingelheim to strengthen clinical research, trial capacity, workforce skills, and patient outcomes in Qatar. Research Training in Qatar: Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar wrapped up its Biomedical Research Training Programme for Nationals, building lab and research administration skills for 7 biomedical scientists. Qatar’s Global Response: A Qatari International Search and Rescue team (Lekhwiya) deployed to earthquake-hit Caracas to support collapsed-building searches and provide urgent medical care. Ras Laffan Disaster Update: QatarEnergy reported a Barzan unit explosion at Ras Laffan that killed 13 and injured 66; injured workers are receiving treatment and investigations continue. Public Health at Borders (India): India launched Air Suvidha 2.0, making electronic self-health declarations mandatory for international arrivals to support surveillance during the Ebola outbreak. Qatar University Simulation Win: Qatar University’s Qatar SimTeam secured third place worldwide at SimUniversity Competition in France, highlighting interprofessional healthcare training.

Mental Health & Seniors: Qatar’s MoPH, with Ehsan, is rolling out its Mental Health Promotion Programme for senior citizens (“Quality of Life”), with about 80 workshops and lectures already held from January to June and more sessions planned through September. Drug Abuse Prevention: Daam Behavioural Healthcare Center joined the Directorate of Drug Enforcement for International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, running awareness activities for children and sharing behavioural-health resources aimed at preventing addiction. Women’s Summer Health: “Hour by Hour” hosted a women’s event blending education, entertainment, health and beauty, including summer nutrition and lifestyle tips for coping with Qatar’s heat. Research & Training: Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar graduated seven biomedical research interns from its 2025 Biomedical Research Training Programme for Nationals, building practical lab and clinical research skills. Parkinson’s Breakthroughs: Qatar Foundation-backed research is pushing Parkinson’s treatment advances with a major international grant, aiming to speed up translation from science to patients. Emergency Response: Qatar dispatched an International Search and Rescue team and an air bridge of medical aid to earthquake-hit Venezuela, supporting field hospitals and urgent care. Local Safety Update: NiDCOM confirmed a Nigerian injured in Qatar’s Barzan Gas Supply Facility explosion has been discharged and is recuperating.

Mental Health in Focus: Qatar’s MoPH, with Ehsan, launched its fourth “Quality of Life” Mental Health Promotion Program for senior citizens, running 80 workshops and lectures from January to June 2026 for about 180 seniors, with activities continuing to September. Precision Medicine Boost: Sidra Medicine (Qatar Foundation) unveiled a specialized Microbiome Service for women and children, offering advanced microbiome testing and analysis to support precision care and research, plus a second MENA Microbiome Conference on 17–18 October 2026. Parkinson’s Research Push: A Qatar Foundation-led project backed by a USD 9 million grant aims to tackle key unanswered questions in Parkinson’s and develop new treatment pathways. Community Wellness: Education Above All and Place Vendôme hosted “Let’s Move for Education” on Olympic Day with an indoor mall walk/jog for hundreds, promoting physical activity and wellbeing across ages. Heat-Smart Fitness: With peak outdoor activity discouraged, residents are moving workouts indoors—malls are becoming go-to spaces for safer, air-conditioned exercise routines. Disaster Response (Qatar-linked): Qatar joined international rescue and medical support for Venezuela’s earthquakes, with reports of Qatar-based doctors and teams among incoming aid. Workplace Health & Safety (Ras Laffan): Qatar’s Indian Embassy reported repatriation of all 12 Indian victims from the Ras Laffan incident, while injured workers received medical attention.

Microbiome & Women’s Health: Sidra Medicine (Qatar Foundation) launched a new specialized Microbiome Service offering advanced microbiome testing and analysis to support precision medicine and personalized care for women, children and young people, with a focus on research and clinical decision-making; it also announced its second MENA Microbiome Conference for 17–18 Oct 2026. Workplace Safety & Community Support: The Indian Embassy in Doha confirmed the repatriation of the final eight Indian nationals’ remains from the Ras Laffan industrial accident, completing return of all 12 victims; embassy officials also visited injured workers in Al Khor and said they received appropriate medical attention. AI in Healthcare: A Hamad Medical Corporation systematic review highlights AI’s potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and support clinical decisions across obstetrics, gynaecology and reproductive medicine, while noting the gap between algorithm development and real-world clinical use. Humanitarian Response: Qatar Fund for Development ordered an emergency airlift to Venezuela after twin earthquakes, coordinating with Lekhwiya and Qatar Red Crescent to deliver family tents, field hospitals and shelter materials.

Disaster Response: Venezuela’s twin earthquakes are still driving urgent health needs, with the death toll rising to at least 920 and injuries topping 3,300 as rescuers race through rubble and aftershocks continue. Local Care Under Strain: Health Minister Carlos Alvarado says patients are arriving at facilities without vital signs, while La Guaira—hit hardest—faces capacity pressure and disrupted services. International Medical Mobilisation: The UN says 25 search-and-rescue teams and about 1,000 rescue personnel are being deployed, with emergency medical response teams among the arrivals. Qatar’s Humanitarian Support: Qatar has launched an air bridge to Venezuela carrying Lekhwiya’s certified search-and-rescue specialists, medical teams, a field hospital, and humanitarian supplies to support rescue and urgent care. Access to Medicines (Global Health): A separate report highlights how patent barriers can limit access to GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes treatments in Africa, echoing lessons from COVID-19. Qatar Health Business: Cosmos Health signed a distribution deal with IMC to expand its Sky Premium Life nutraceuticals across Qatar via Kulud Pharmacies.

Disaster Response: Venezuela’s twin earthquakes have killed about 235 people and injured at least 4,300, with health facilities receiving many patients in critical condition as rescue teams race to find thousands still missing. Qatar Links to Global Aid: Qatar is among countries sending rescuers to support the response, as the US also moves to ease sanctions for earthquake relief transactions. Local Health & Ageing: Qatar’s PHCC ran hydration awareness sessions for older adults with EHSAN Centre, focusing on preventing dehydration and heat-related illness during summer. Education for Health Workforce: UDST launched new Bachelor’s and Diploma programmes in Animal Health and Veterinary Science to build local capability in disease prevention, diagnostics and livestock management. Workplace Safety Watch: India reports repatriation of four bodies of victims from Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas explosion, with more families and injured people still being supported.

Drug Prevention in Qatar: Qatar’s Ministry of Interior (Drug Enforcement) launched an awareness exhibition for International Day Against Drug Abuse, running until June 28, with booths on prevention and the harms of drugs, and participation from health, education, and community partners. Earthquake Response & Trauma Care: After twin 7.2 and 7.5 quakes hit Venezuela, officials report at least 188 deaths, 1,500 injuries, and hundreds trapped, with rescue teams using power tools in La Guaira’s “disaster zone” and dramatic rescues including children pulled alive from rubble. Qatar’s Child Protection Concern: Qatar told the UN Security Council it is deeply concerned by a report on unprecedented grave violations against children in armed conflict, including attacks on schools and hospitals, and urged stronger international protection. Sports Injury & Safety: FIFA suspended Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo for five matches after a tackle left Canada’s Ismael Kone with a broken leg, sidelining him for the rest of the tournament. Qatar Education Milestone: Qatar School for Science and Technology for Boys held its graduation for 56 students, all securing university admissions in Qatar and abroad.

Sidra Medicine Workforce Boost: Sidra Medicine (Qatar Foundation) is expanding healthcare training with a new Medical Observership Programme and its ongoing Future Doctor Programme, creating structured observational learning for students and healthcare professionals. University Admissions Update: Qatar University has set new minimum admission averages for Fall 2027, with 90% for Medicine and Dentistry, 80% for Pharmacy, and 75% for other colleges (meeting the average doesn’t guarantee entry). Infectious Disease Research: Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar published a detailed PLOS Medicine study mapping gonorrhea burden and trends across sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting antimicrobial resistance concerns. Nuclear Medicine Milestone: Hamad Medical Corporation’s Nuclear Medicine Molecular Imaging section received SNMMI accreditation as a Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Centre of Excellence, expanding advanced radiopharmaceutical therapy capabilities. Sports & Health Culture: The Qatar Olympic Committee marked Olympic Day with a boxing championship for junior, youth and senior categories, promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles.