Qatar is witnessing a research renaissance with 2.8 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) allocated for funding and promoting research in medical and other fields, according to Dr Al Hareth M Al Khater, Chairman, Medical Research Centre at Hamad Medical CorporationHamad Medical Corporation.
Opening the seminar on “Essentials of Research”, held at Hajar auditorium on January 9, Dr Al Hareth said that there was a research renaissance in Qatar with annual spending to the tune of $1.5bn in research. Under the leadership of H H the Emir, the Qatari government is investing heavily in promoting research, especially in medical research in the country, he added.
The seminar held at Hajar auditorium saw more than 250 registered researchers, physicians, paramedic staff, nurses from HMCHMC, Supreme Council for Health, Weill Cornell Medical School, Shafallah Center and Qatar University partaking in the daylong seminar, which saw presentations from researchers working at Medical Research Centre, HMCHMC.
“The aim of the seminar was to promote research among medical professionals at the same time educating the participants on research ethics, methodologies, and how to safeguard patient rights, which is essential to research,” said Dr Al Hareth, who gave a brief overview of the journey of medical research from the times of famous Arab physician Ibn Sina to date.
