Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar Precision Health Institute (QPHI), the leading national centre for research and implementation under Qatar Foundation (QF), will leverage its cutting-edge genomic and multi-omics research outcomes to usher in a new era of healthcare services across Qatar and the region. QPHI has inked three memoranda of understanding (MoU) with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), the Health Institutes of Türkiye (TÜSEB), and the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) to advance the implementation of precision diagnostics and treatments.
The collaborations will empower QPHI to deliver on its objectives of advancing preventive health, developing diagnosis and life-saving treatment interventions, and accelerating its National Health Mapping Programmes. The MoUs were signed at QF’s formal launch of QPHI, which was established to draw upon more than 10 years of valuable data collection, research, and ecosystem development by Qatar Biobank and Qatar Genome Programme.
Dr Said Ismail, acting president of QPHI, said the agreements mark a new milestone in Qatar’s journey as a pioneer in implementing precision medicine across the region.
“Our collaboration with some of the world’s leading health organisations in the field of precision medicine will enable Qatar and its partners to contribute to shaping the future of healthcare both domestically and overseas with tangible benefits in terms of saving lives and improving the wellbeing of people with diseases,” Dr Ismail said.
Under its MoU with HMC, QPHI will exchange knowledge and capacity-building initiatives to enhance clinical skills and expertise in precision health practices. Commenting on the partnership, Dr Abdullah Al Ansari, acting chief medical officer at Hamad Medical Corporation, said: ”We envision a future where precision medicine becomes the cornerstone of health care, not just in Qatar but across the globe. Through this partnership, we aim to combine our expertise with QPHI’s cutting-edge research to redefine the standards of patient care and treatment, ultimately saving lives and enhancing well-being.”
The collaboration of TÜSEB with QPHI will create a strong network to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experience and infrastructure.
This collaboration will involve forming a Joint Steering Group, managed by both parties, to conduct strategic research and development in genomic technologies. The primary objective is to enhance and shape the scientific landscapes of Türkiye and Qatar.
Lastly, QPHI is also joining hands with GA4GH, an international, nonprofit alliance formed in 2013 to accelerate the potential of research and medicine to advance human health.Commenting on their partnership with QPHI, Peter Goodhand, chief executive officer of GA4GH, Canada, said: “We congratulate the QPHI on this important step in realising the benefits of genomic research to human health. GA4GH is pleased to welcome QPHI to our community of Driver Projects and our National Initiatives Forum and we look forward to the collaboration and exchange of best practices and knowledge.”
In line with the MoU, QPHI will participate as a driver project of GA4GH, contributing to developing and implementing technical products and participating in the foundational work streams, which conceive products that encourage the responsible use of international genomic data.Partnerships announced at formal launch of QF’s QPHI to advance precision health in Qatar
