Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has joined hands to host a virtual webinar that focusses on dementia research and risk reduction measures.

In support of World Alzheimer’s Month, the virtual event is hosted for science students, faculty, and healthcare professionals, as well as members of the public who are interested in learning more about dementia.

Although nearly 50 million persons in the world suffer from Dementia, yet only a few countries initiated developing national plans for Dementia. The State of Qatar is one of those few developed countries and the only Arab country which has developed a national plan for Dementia.

The National Plan for Dementia aims to outline the future vision framework of the services provided to the people with dementia, their families and their caregivers, through increasing the public and professional awareness of Dementia, stressing the importance of diagnosis and intervening early, in addition to improving the therapeutic methods and healthcare after diagnosis.

The webinar will be hosted virtually on September 30, 2020 from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM.

Experts from Qatar and around the world will discuss key topics relating to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

The keynote speakers include Professor John Hardy from the UK Dementia Research Institute and Institute of Neurology at University College London (UCL), and Dr. Henry Brodaty, Director of Australia’s Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration and Co-Director, CHeBA (Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing).

It is expected that the improvement of all services helps enhance the quality of life of people suffering from Dementia, their caregivers and their families in the State of Qatar.

This plan includes the seven work areas which would improve the areas of Dementia patients' care, which will have a direct impact on improving the quality of care.

The Qatar National Plan revolves around these seven areas stipulated in the comprehensive plan of action developed by the World Health Organization for Dementia and the World Observatory of Dementia.

HBKU will be represented by Dr. Omar El-Agnaf, Executive Director, QBRI, who will provide an overview of the institute’s work and its dementia research opportunities.

This educational event aligns with deliverables set out in the Qatar National Dementia Plan that was developed by Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad in her capacity as National Lead for Healthy Ageing (Qatar National Health Strategy 2018-2022) and focal point for WHO Global Dementia Observatory project in Qatar. 

For more information about QBRI and its research centers, please visit qbri.hbku.edu.qa 

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Source and Cover Image Credit: HBKU