Doha, Qatar: Doha Festival City, Qatar's ultimate destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment, announces its collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) for a significant event marking World Obesity Day on March 4th. This year's theme, “Let’s Talk About Obesity,” focuses on enhancing public understanding of obesity as a multifaceted health issue requiring a comprehensive approach.

In a concerted effort to promote health and wellness, Doha Festival City, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), HMC, and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), is hosting a booth activation at the Center Court, first floor. This initiative aims to engage the community in meaningful discussions about obesity and its underlying causes. From March 4th to March 9th, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in comprehensive health screenings, including BMI, blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure measurements, offered free of charge.

On-site specialists such as nurses, dieticians, nutritionists, diabetes educators, and gym instructors, will be available to provide valuable insights and personalized advice, empowering individuals with knowledge and resources to address and prevent obesity, thus fostering a healthier community.

Robert Hall, Director of Asset Management at Doha Festival City, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative: “We are committed to supporting our community’s health and well-being. Partnering with HMC for World Obesity Day allows us to engage directly with the public on critical health issues, underlining our dedication to social responsibility and proactive health management.”

Prof. Abdul Badi Abou-Samra, Director of the Qatar Metabolic Institute (QMI) at HMC and Co-Chair of the National Diabetes Committee, MoPH, underscored Qatar's comprehensive strategy in combating the escalating global obesity epidemic. Prof. Abdul Badi Abou-Samra stated, "Obesity poses a substantial risk to health, contributing to a range of serious conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and arthritis. It is independently recognized as a chronic disease that carries severe complications."

Qatar's approach to addressing obesity is comprehensive, tackling the issue through prevention, management, and treatment. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has been proactive in implementing policies to curb obesity among both children and adults. Concurrently, the Primary Healthcare Corporation (PHCC) has been pivotal in promoting health education and lifestyle changes through its advanced wellness centers. On the treatment front, the National Obesity Treatment Centre (NoTC) and Bariatric service, both under the Qatar Metabolic Institute (QMI) at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), provide specialized care for individuals with severe obesity. These facilities offer a range of multidisciplinary treatment options and support for those for whom other interventions have not succeeded.

The concerted efforts of Qatar's healthcare system underscore the nation's dedication to preventing and  mitigating the impacts of obesity and ensuring a healthier future for its population. Prof. Abou-Samra concluded, "Through our collective commitment and strategic initiatives, we are dedicated to fostering a healthier Qatar."

For further details about Doha Festival City, please contact 4035 4444 or visit https://www.dohafestivalcity.com/home/.

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About Doha Festival City

Doha Festival City, Qatar's ultimate shopping destination, encompasses over 470 stores within its 250,000 sqm area, featuring renowned brands like Debenhams, Harvey Nichols Doha, Chopard, Al Fardan Jewllery, Marli, Mikimoto, IKEA, ACE, Centrepoint, and Marks & Spencer.

The mall offers over 100 dining choices, including popular eateries such as Nando’s, Cheesecake Factory, PF Chang’s, and local favorites Monoprix and Jamie’s Italian, as well as traditional restaurants like Yasmine Palace and Laduree. Varied food courts at both ends cater to quick dining needs.

For entertainment, Doha Festival City offers a diverse range of world-class attractions. Angry Birds World, the world’s first park of its kind, provides family fun inspired by the popular game and movie. VIRTUOCiTY™, the region’s first dedicated gaming hub, offers an immersive digital experience with racing simulators, escape rooms, and an eSports arena. Snow Dunes™, Qatar's first indoor snow park, features a castle inspired by Qatari architecture and uses advanced technology to create a wintry wonderland at -4 degrees Celsius. Additionally, the mall houses Qatar's first VOX 4D cinema complex, providing an exceptional movie-going experience.

In October 2023, Doha Festival City introduced the Virtual Mall, a state-of-the-art 3D digital shopping platform that transforms the retail experience. This innovative platform allows customers to explore the mall virtually and interact with store experts, merging the convenience of online shopping with the feel of an in-person visit.

Additionally, in collaboration with Qatar Islamic Bank and Mastercard, Doha Festival City launched an exclusive Gift Card, revolutionizing the shopping experience with a seamless, cashless payment option available in over 500 stores. Available for purchase at the mall’s customer service desks, this innovative card simplifies transactions and offers access to a host of exclusive offers and promotions. Gift Card holders can enjoy special deals across a diverse range of retail, F&B, and entertainment outlets, making it the perfect choice for those seeking the ideal gift or wishing to shop cost-effectively.

Another major development is The Village, the newly opened outdoor extension at Doha Festival City. This family-friendly area offers an immersive outdoor experience, complete with a variety of amenities. Highlights include a captivating water fountain, dedicated kids' play areas, and a diverse selection of shops and dining options. Aligning with the brand message “My Space, My Choice,” The Village enriches the community experience and embodies the "Live More" aspect for families, enhancing the space and complementing the shopping experience.

The mall has been honored as the 2023 Visit Qatar winner for 'Outstanding Service Excellence - Shopping Mall' and 'Outstanding Smart Solutions - Innovative Solutions in Sustainability,' showcasing its commitment to sustainability and service excellence. This recognition is accompanied by the 2020 Travelers’ Choice Award from Tripadvisor and accolades from KAHRAMAA and the Al Daayen Municipality.

Doha Festival City is a sought-after destination for residents, investors, and stakeholders, delivering an exceptional experience in shopping, dining, and entertainment, reinforcing its status as a go-to mall in the country and region.

For more information, visit www.dohafestivalcity.com/home.

About Hamad Medical Corporation

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is the main provider of secondary and tertiary healthcare in Qatar and one of the leading hospital providers in the Middle East.

For more than four decades, HMC has been dedicated to delivering the safest, most effective and compassionate care to all its patients.

HMC manages fifteen specialist hospitals as well as the National Ambulance Service, mental health, homecare and residential care services.

HMC’s transformation over the past decade is unparalleled around the world. Since 2016, HMC has opened eight new hospitals and a range of new specialist facilities – further strengthening Qatar’s public sector hospital network.

Thirteen HMC hospitals hold corporate Academic Medical Center accreditation by the Joint Commission International, endorsing the quality and safety of services, while the Ambulance Service, Home Healthcare Service, Stroke Service and Palliative Care Service have all received prestigious JCI accreditation.

HMC is committed to delivering healthcare services on par with the world’s best and many of our services exceed international benchmarks for quality of care, including stroke, cardiology, trauma and cancer.

In 2023, HMC had four hospitals ranked among the world’s top 250 academic medical centers, with two achieving top 100 ranking; highlighting our commitment to combining patient care, medical research and education to achieve the best outcomes and experience for our patients.

HMC is leading the development of the region’s first academic health system – combining innovative research, top-class education and excellent clinical care – and is committed to building a legacy of healthcare expertise in Qatar.

HMC was also the first hospital system in the Middle East to achieve institutional accreditation from the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education – International (ACGME-I), which demonstrates excellence in the way medical graduates are trained through residency, internship and fellowship programs.

For more information visit: Hamad Medical Corporation Home

Press Contact: Elizabeth Wood, Project Manager, HMC Corporate Communications
lwood@hamad.qa