Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, officially inaugurated the Qatar Precision Health Institute (QPHI) at the Qatar National Convention Centre, a comprehensive institution that consolidates the expertise in health sciences and genomics from Qatar Biobank and Qatar Genome Program. This initiative aims to expedite the nation's adoption of personalized healthcare.
The launch event was graced by Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation, alongside several distinguished ministers and dignitaries.
During her speech at the ceremony, Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser commended Qatar's leading role in the region. She expressed pride in Qatar being the first country in the region to establish a population-based genome program, contributing significantly to global genomic databases and facilitating quicker and more accurate diagnoses of various diseases for regional populations.
Her Highness emphasized Qatar Foundation's pivotal role in fostering an innovative and integrated healthcare system, citing collaborations such as Sidra Medicine's genomic facilities, the advanced biobank in partnership with Hamad Medical Corporation and the Ministry of Health, and the contributions of the College of Islamic Studies at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in ethical dialogues on genomics and precision medicine.
The Qatar Precision Health Institute builds upon the achievements of Qatar Foundation's Qatar Biobank (QBB) and Qatar Genome Program (QGP) over the past decade, aligning research efforts across Qatar to understand the impact of lifestyle, environment, and genetics on the population and support Qatar's National Vision 2030.
The institute's objectives include translating research findings into clinical applications, identifying key clinical focus areas, scaling up precision medicine, and establishing policies to guide precision medicine and regulatory affairs. Minister of Public Health, Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, praised the initiative as a testament to Qatar's commitment to leveraging science and innovation for population health improvement.
Qatar's efforts in genomics have been pioneering, with QGP sequencing over 40,000 Qatari and Arab genomes, significantly enriching global genomic data. Dr. Victor Dzau, Chairperson of QPHI's International Scientific Advisory Committee, hailed the institute as a milestone in advancing healthcare and improving individual wellbeing through precision health.
QPHI's ongoing research on the Arab genome aims to provide accessible health data for regional and global researchers, ultimately enhancing healthcare standards and solidifying Qatar's prominence in precision medicine worldwide. Acting President of QPHI, Dr. Said Ismail, emphasized the institute's role in elevating healthcare standards and positioning Qatar as a leader in precision medicine globally.
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