Qatar hosts training course on Public Health Skills for Action in Complex Emergencies

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Public Health in Qatar recently hosted a training course titled Public Health Skills for Action in Complex Emergencies i...

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Public Health in Qatar recently hosted a training course titled ‘Public Health Skills for Action in Complex Emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.’ This year's course follows the resounding success of the previous course, which was held in Doha in October 2023. 

The Ministry of Public Health along with experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health held the event where they welcomed 60 participants from 24 countries and 4 regions.

During the closing remarks, Dr Soha Al Bayat, Director of the Health Emergencies Department at the Ministry of Public Health, emphasised that "The State of Qatar fully supports the vision of the Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC), and is keen to inspire broader participation in this crucial initiative." Remarking, "The GHEC initiative represents a shared commitment to building surge capacity, emergency leadership, and a well-trained public health workforce…This training is not only intended to equip [participants] with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle public health challenges but also to foster a spirit of collaboration and partnership."

Speaking on the course, Dr Soha also stated, "The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO), like other regions worldwide, has faced increasingly complex public health threats, from infectious disease outbreaks to natural disasters and conflicts. The COVID-19 pandemic and increasing complex health emergencies have brought to light significant challenges and highlighted the importance of a coordinated, global response. To effectively respond to these challenges, we need a skilled and coordinated regional health workforce."

The course is a critical investment in building surge capacity, fostering regional collaboration, and strengthening the regional health emergency workforce. It aims to empower the next generation of leaders, ensuring that communities around the world are better prepared to face future health crises.