Research funded by Qatar Foundation (QF), aimed at tackling infectious diseases will be the subject of the webinar (online edition) of Qatar National Research Fund's (QNRF) Research outcome Seminar series.

As scientists around the globe grapple with the novel coronavirus pandemic, this webinar will put a spotlight on six key projects that researchers in Qatar and beyond are working on to reduce the spread of communicable diseases, and directly address the associated health risks.

The webinar, which will be held from 10 am to 1 pm tomorrow, April 1, will bring together six scientists who will present the outcomes of their research projects.

The research projects cover different topics including: whether the COVID-19 pandemic can still be suppressed; a survey of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) infection: viruses linked to hepatitis C and gastroenteritis; Human Papillomavirus; influenza complications in diabetes patients; and whether face masks can protect people against viral respiratory infections.

All these projects have been funded by QNRF, which is a QF member.

The webinar will feature researchers from Qatar's Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Hamad Medical Corporation, and other entities including Sidra Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, and Qatar University.

Dr. Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani, Director of Public Health at MoPH, will also join the online event and speak about the knowledge base on coronavirus.

Moreover, QNRF’s Senior Program Manager for Biomedical Science and Health, Dr. Mohammed Jarrar, will also provide an overview of its funding for infectious disease research.

Dr. Abdul Sattar Al-Taie, Executive Director, QNRF, said, "This seminar provides an opportunity to highlight the critical role that scientists and researchers play in our society, as the whole world is counting on them to produce a vaccine or develop a drug to abate and treat COVID-19. In this region, Qatar Foundation and Qatar National Research Fund have helped Qatar take a lead in the field of infectious disease studies by sponsoring cutting-edge research projects, providing state-of-the-art research laboratories, and building much-needed human capacity."

"We hope people will participate in this Research Outcome Seminar to learn how our researchers are addressing the many risks posed by infectious diseases, and seek answers to questions they may have," he added.

QNRF’s Research Outcome Seminars promote the importance and impact of research to the public and enable the exchange of knowledge and information between members of Qatar’s scientific community and key stakeholders.

To register for the webinar, you can click here. 

Meanwhile, health authorities in the country continue to implement the highest level of monitoring, detection, and management procedures to deal with the virus, the public has been advised to follow certain measures to safeguard their health.

For any queries, or concerns related to COVID-19 in Qatar, the public can contact a 24/7 hotline set up by the Ministry. The hotline number is 16000 and is toll-free.

Here's everything you need to know about the virus, including ways to protect yourself. 

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Cover Image Credit: Qatar Foundation/ the image is of an earlier QF-organized webinar

Inline Image: Dr. Abdul Sattar Al-Taie, Executive Director, QNRF