Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) will host the International Congress on Healthy Ageing and Geriatric Rehabilitation 2026 from October 29 to 31, with more than 1,000 in-person delegates expected to take part.
The international congress will focus on advancing healthy ageing, brain health, rehabilitation, functional longevity and integrated models of care for ageing populations.
Held under the theme "Transforming Global Care through Innovation and Function", the event will bring together global leaders, clinicians, researchers, rehabilitation professionals, nurses, innovators, policymakers and multidisciplinary healthcare experts.
Discussions will explore approaches aimed at supporting healthspan, functional longevity, brain health, independence, rehabilitation, dignity and quality of life.
Prof Dr Hanadi Khamis Al-Hamad, Chairperson of the congress and Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Long-Term Care, Rehabilitation and Geriatrics at HMC, said the event aims to advance a model of care centred on "Functional Longevity".
The concept focuses on helping people continue to think, move, participate, connect, recover and live with purpose throughout the ageing process.
Dr Al-Hamad said healthcare must move beyond focusing solely on lifespan towards healthspan, brain health, function, independence, dignity and meaningful living.
She added that the congress has been designed as a global collaborative platform bringing together experts from healthcare, research, rehabilitation, nursing, technology, policymaking and community care to help shape future healthy ageing systems.
The congress comes as ageing populations and rising life expectancy create growing clinical, social and economic challenges for healthcare systems worldwide.
Dr Al-Hamad said Qatar is advancing an integrated approach to healthy ageing, brain health, rehabilitation, long-term care, community healthcare services and precision ageing through HMC and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Ageing and Dementia.
The congress will include international and regional faculty from leading healthcare and academic institutions, with participation spanning medicine, rehabilitation, nursing, allied health, research, digital health and community care.
Dr Al-Hamad said international collaboration, shared learning and innovation will be essential to improving well-being, preserving function and developing healthcare systems that enable people not only to live longer, but to live well.
