Doha, 11 February, 2013: About 250 healthcare professionals are expected to gather at the first Qatar Surgical Society Symposium and the third Annual Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Conference, to be held on 25-27 February by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). The event will highlight state-of-the-art advances in surgery, and will allow the exchange of knowledge and expertise among different countries.

The event will open with the first Clinical Research Workshop in Emergency, Trauma and Critical Care on 25 February at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, which will be followed by a two-day scientific program at Hajar Auditorium, HMC Education Center. The workshop, symposium and conference will feature 35 speakers from the MENA region, North America and Europe, including international experts well-known for their published articles. The program offers a multidisciplinary approach to various topics including trauma, transplant, colorectal surgery and general surgery, as well as research.

Dr. Hassan Al Thani, Head of HMC's Trauma Service and Chairman of the Scientific Committee, and Dr. Abdulwahab Al Musleh, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the event said, "We are honored and excited about hosting this important event and we expect some significant outcomes to occur as a result of the event. In particular, we hope that this will pave the way for establishing the Qatar Chapter of ATLS for MENA. This, without a doubt, would be a significant and important event as we are working towards establishing an integrated trauma system in Qatar that will be verified as a Level 1 Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma."

"Trauma is a leading cause of mortality in the region for people below the age of 40, coming ahead of cardiovascular causes. Under the National Health Strategy, prevention is a primary goal along with the development of our trauma system. To achieve these goals we are pursuing the education of healthcare professionals and working to raise public awareness about trauma in general, as well as issues of road safety," Dr Al Thani explained.

Noting that this is the first time the ATLS meet for MENA will be held in Qatar, Dr Al Thani highlighted the importance of establishing Qatar's own ATLS Chapter. "We have already previously established ATLS courses in Qatar - one of the first countries in the Middle East to do so, following Saudi Arabia - but these courses were considered part of the Saudi Chapter. Establishing our own chapter will allow the work of the HMC staff to be recognized on a higher level, not only locally but also internationally."

Dr. Rifat Latifi, Professor of Surgery and Medical Director of the Trauma Service said the establishment of an ATLS Chapter in Qatar will add more value to the educational process. Speaking on the upcoming event, he said, "The idea is to raise awareness on the role of the Trauma Service and the progress that we have made in advancing trauma care in Qatar since it was established in 2007."

"We are building on the progress that we have achieved and the recognition that the Trauma Service has received internationally, such as those from Arab Health and the World Health Organization. The event will add to our own knowledge and help us in the process of our academic transformation. It will also be a step forward towards verification as a Level 1 Trauma Center," Dr Latifi added.

Participants will include physicians, surgeons, paramedics, nurses and educators. Registration has closed for all except doctors, who can register at the Trauma Service office on the ground floor of Quality Management building behind Women's Hospital. For more information healthcare professionals may contact 4439-6152 or visit http://fqss.hamad.qa/en/welcome.aspx.  

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About HMC:
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is the principal public healthcare provider for the State of Qatar. The Corporation manages eight hospitals along with further specialist clinical, educational and research facilities, and is growing in capacity each year around the diverse needs of the evolving population. HMC's ambition is to become an academic health system; a world leading center of excellence in clinical care, medical education and research that transforms into significant clinical advancements. 

HMC believes in excellence in healthcare, education and research with each supporting the other to provide world-class quality patient care in a safe and healing environment.

As well as four general hospitals situated in the most densely populated areas of Qatar, HMC also manages four specialist hospitals, looking after patients with the most prevalent conditions, including cancer, heart conditions, rehabilitation, and a hospital providing specialist treatment for women. HMC also operates the national Ambulance Service and a home healthcare service.

The Corporation was the first public healthcare system outside the United States to achieve Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation for all hospitals simultaneously. JCI accreditation is based on quality and safety across all clinical and management functions.

HMC is 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.

www.hamad.qa

For more information, please contact: Joan Pauline Acevedo at jacevedo@hmc.org.qa

Corporate Communications Department
Hamad Medical Corporation
Tel. No.: +974 4439 5272
Fax No.: +974 4439 5002
www.hamad.qa

© Press Release 2013