Doha:Qatar Health Congress 2026 officially commenced on Thursday, attended by HE Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud. The event, organized by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), has gathered over 1,500 healthcare professionals, including physicians, specialists, and public health experts from Qatar, the Gulf region, and worldwide.

According to Qatar News Agency, the congress, which will run until November 14, serves as a vital platform for scientific and professional exchange. It aims to enhance knowledge sharing, innovation, and collaboration across various healthcare disciplines, while also discussing best practices and innovative solutions to improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes.

Chief Medical Officer at HMC, Dr. Khalid Mohammed Al Jelham, emphasized that the congress signifies HMC's dedication to advancing healthcare through knowledge, innovation, and capacity building. Dr. Al Jelham highlighted the congress's role in facilitating discussions among leading experts on the latest scientific advancements and evidence-based practices aimed at improving care quality, patient safety, and health outcomes.

Co-Chair of the Congress Organizing Committee and Director of the Department of Medical Education, Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, noted the congress's significance for healthcare professionals globally to learn and exchange expertise. The program's diverse offerings, including lectures, workshops, and interactive sessions, underscore the importance of continuing medical education and the application of innovations to enhance patient care. The congress also focuses on patient-centered care in various medical specialties and features participation from medical students across 22 countries in scientific competitions.

The congress comprises four specialized scientific tracks, featuring live lectures, panel discussions, and research presentations, along with sessions on critical care, neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, and more. It also facilitates networking among over 200 experts from diverse medical fields, promoting regional and international collaboration and best practice exchange.

A notable feature of the congress program was a live simulation exercise on major incident response by the HMC Ambulance Service, demonstrating the readiness of medical teams and international-standard procedures for managing large-scale incidents.