DOHA: Legal issues relating to the practice of medicine in Qatar were discussed as experts convened for the first international conference on the link between law and medicine that opened at Qatar University (QU) yesterday.
The conference ‘Law and Medicine: Challenging the Future’ explored critical medical and legal challenges faced by medical practitioners and the rights and safety of patients in the light of rapid advances in medical care, research and technology.
It was organised by QU colleges of Law (LAWC) and Medicine (CMED), Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
The conference, supported by Qatar National Research Fund, brought together legal and healthcare experts from around the world for two days of presentations, panel discussions and networking sessions.
Topics included an analysis of the existing regulatory framework for practicing medicine in Qatar and the Gulf, the liability of healthcare providers, protecting patient privacy and rights, the current legal framework for supporting innovation in healthcare delivery, and the development of a healthcare workforce for Qatar now and for the future.
Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham, President, QU, said, “The healthcare system in Qatar has witnessed remarkable development in recent years to meet the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.
“QU recently launched the first national medical college to graduate future qualified physicians and enrich the local and international research sector towards enhancing the human condition. The College of Law plays an important role in promoting legal aspects of healthcare in Qatar. Both colleges are keen to promote partnerships with academic institutions that will participate in and benefit from such a conference.”
Dr Saleh bin Ali Al Marri, Secretary-General, Medical Affairs, Supreme Council of Health, said, “Providing an integrated healthcare system entails developing the legal background of all practitioners in the health sector. The conference will discuss effective methods to approach the aim.”
Keynote address was delivered by Stephen P Nash of Squire Patton Boggs. Speakers included Dr Ibrahim Janahi and Dr Michael Richmond (HMC); Dr Marcellina Mian, (WCM-Q); Dr Tim McDonald and Clinton Hermes (Sidra); and Dr Humayun Chaudhry (Federation of State Medical Boards, US).
Participating in the panel discussions were LAWC Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies Dr Francis Botchway; and Law Professors Dr Sonia Elleuch Mallek, Dr Ahmed S Hassanein, Dr Paula Young, Dr Tarek Rashed, Dr Reem Al Ansari, Dr Nazzal Kisswani, Dr Gaber Mahgoub, Dr Mohammed Mattar and Dr Basher Saad Zaghloul. College of Medicine faculty Prof Serhiy Souchelnytskyi spoke on legislating personalised treatment for cancer patients, and Prof Hossam Hamdi addressed professionalism, medicine and law from an Arab and Islamic perspective.The Peninsula
