Hamad Medical Corporation holds third Research Forum

Clinicians and researchers from Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and other organizations in Qatar gathered recently to exchange research ideas and gain new knowledge at the third Research Forum. Organized by HMC’s Medical Research Center, the event is conducted regularly as part of efforts to foster a strong research culture and promote the development of high-quality research at HMC and in Qatar.

HMC researchers represented the majority of the third Research Forum’s 142 delegates, with additional attendees from Qatar University (QU), Sidra Medical and Research Center, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar and Hamad Bin Khalifa University. The third meeting addressed current research on infectious diseases undertaken by researchers in HMC and affiliated biomedical institutes in Qatar. Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, Senior Consultant and HMC’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer welcomed the participants to the Research Forum.

Professor Ibrahim Janahi, HMC’s Executive Director of Research said: "The Research Forum provides a platform for those interested in research to exchange expertise and research knowledge, and encourages collaborations among colleagues to strengthen our research capacity. Research is vital to achieving HMC’s vision for healthcare in Qatar. Research enables the development of new and improved treatments and helps our healthcare teams to deliver the safest, most effective and most compassionate care to our patients.”

Researchers from HMC and QU presented their research studies during the forum. Research topics included streptococcus anginosus infections, H1N1 influenza (swine flu), candidiasis or yeast infections, hepatitis C, food-borne diseases, tuberculosis, pseudomonasaeruginosa (a multi-drug resistant pathogen that causes complicated and life-threatening infections) cystic fibrosis, and a study on increasing immunogenicity of influenza and human immunodeficiency virus vaccines.

Each assembly of the Research Forum consists of two main segments designed to guide researchers and share research work across HMC. The first is “Bring your research” a segment where the Research Support Committee provides advice and guidance for researchers on any aspect of clinical, public health, biomedical, molecular and basic science research. The committee is composed of experienced researchers and scientists from within HMC. Nineteen researchers received support for their research ideas and projects at the forum from the Research Support Committee.

The second segment is “Present your research” which provides an opportunity for biomedicine researchers in Qatar to present their ongoing or published research around the central clinical or research topic for each assembly, with the third assembly focusing on infectious disease.

Dr. FurqanIrfan, Lead of the Research Forum and Co-Director for Emergency Medicine Research at HMC, highlighted the importance of research as one of the three pillars of HMC. He said: “Research plays a vital role in the discovery of new treatments and care pathways for our patients. We have many dedicated researchers at HMC and the forum offers an ideal platform for them to share their research work, exchange their knowledge and experience, and obtain expert advice and guidance to ensure their research work is in accordance with the highest standards."

For more information about the research program and registration details, visit the following link: https://www.hamad.qa/EN/Education-and-research/Medical_Research/Research_Forum/Pages/default.aspx