Experts during the webinar organised by the World Innovation Summit for Health of Qatar Foundation.
Experts discussed relation between medical and Islamic ethics in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic during a webinar, yesterday.
The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) of Qatar Foundation held the webinar, titled ‘Coronavirus: The Interplay of Medical and Islamic Ethics’.
The panel of experts included Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al Thani, Director of Public Health, Ministry of Public Health; Dr. Laith Abu-Raddad, Professor of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar; Dr. Mutaz Alkhatib, Assistant Professor of Methodology and Ethics, Research Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU); and Dr. Mohammed Ghaly, Professor of Islam and Biomedical Ethics, CILE, HBKU.
Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Al Thani said, “The next two weeks are very critical.”
“The COVID-19 infection is not deadly but highly infectious,” he added.
In response to a question about the possibilities of treatment for COVID-19, “There is hope, but it will take time to develop a vaccine,” said Dr. Al Thani.
He also urged the public to corporate to implement the rules and decisions taken by government to control the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
In response to a public pool during the webinar 52.9% said that the moral obligation of protecting people’s privacy has no place in the context of pandemic diseases. Some 91.3% responders said that it is ethical to close international borders to quite the spread of disease.
As well as considering the role religion plays in people’s response to pandemics, such as the one the world is currently facing, panelists also discuss the myths circulating around COVID-19 and examine the most scientifically reliable preventative measures for dealing with the developing situation. The event was a unique opportunity for the viewers to learn more and engage with experts on what has become the most prominent health issue of the day with an interesting focus on Islamic ethics.
Sultana Afdhal, CEO of WISH said that, the discussion through virtual platform highlights Qatar Foundation’s commitment to imparting knowledge and information, while also recognizing the need to safeguard public health.
The event was organized by WISH in collaboration with the Research Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE) at HBKU Qatar. It was broadcast live from Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q).
