Health minister opens Qatar Diabetes Research Center

Minister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari has launched the landmark Qatar Diabetes Prevention Program, the region's largest research-based programme dedicated to preventing diabetes, while opening the Qatar Diabetes Research Center at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).

This is a public sector partnership designed to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes amongst citizens and residents of Qatar. The Qatar Research Development and Innovation Council and HMCs Academic Health System have funded this five-year programme.

In-kind contributions have also been made by MoPH, Primary Health Care Corporation, Qatar University, Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa University through Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Qatar Computing Research Institute, and Qatar Diabetes Association.

Qatar Diabetes Research Center's work will play a significant role in addressing diabetes-related health challenges. The Center will house the region-leading prevention program to create a patient-centred approach to type 2 diabetes and strategies for preventing the disease. It will also enable the community to make informed decisions, change behaviours, reduce risk, and improve their overall health.

The Qatar Diabetes Research Center, located at the HMC Doha campus next to the Surgical Specialty Center, is equipped with multiple examination and procedure rooms and will be staffed by around 30 research assistants, physicians, and research coordinators all of whom will launch the Qatar Diabetes Prevention Program.

The patients will be selected through the National Diabetes Screening Program performed by the Primary Healthcare Centers for the Qatar National Diabetes Strategy. Around 40,000 subjects will be called as part of this and it is anticipated that 4000 subjects will be enrolled.

Chief of Scientific, Academic, and Faculty Affairs-HMC Prof. Jassim Al Suwaidi said, "The four clinical trials being undertaken by the Qatar Diabetes Prevention Program are led by investigators from the Qatar Metabolic Institute (QMI) of the HMC Academic Health System (AHS) and this research is co-funded by AHS; which illustrates our support for diabetes research in Qatar." Qatar Diabetes Prevention Program Director Professor Abdul-Badi Abou Samra said the program would develop a personalized approach to type 2 diabetes and its prevention.

"The Qatar Diabetes Research Center team will identify genetic and molecular factors associated with pre-diabetes, in turn helping to target individuals at increased risk who could benefit from early intervention. The Qatar Diabetes Prevention Program will be running four clinical trials and will be focused on outcomes including preventing gestational diabetes, preventing, and reversing Type 2 diabetes and personalized care," Professor added.