Minister of Public Health Launches “Sehatuha” Campaign Led by Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar
Doha – February 26, 2025: His Excellency Mr Mansoor Bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud, Minister of Public Health, inaugurated today the “Sehatuha” campaign, launched by Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q). This initiative marks a significant milestone in efforts to enhance women’s health, emphasizing the crucial role women play in society and the urgent need to prioritize their well-being. Dr Javaid Sheikh, Dean of WCM-Q, attended the launch ceremony alongside over 70 of the college’s alumni. The event featured the unveiling of the campaign’s visual identity, a film narrating the initiative’s journey and intended impact, as well as excerpts from web and podcast episodes presented by alumni. Additionally, Dr Bothina Al-Mulla and Dr Sulaiman Alshakhs, both graduates of WCM-Q and currently Practicing at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), shared their involvement in the campaign and underscored the importance of such initiatives. The Sehatuha campaign represents a dedicated effort to drive tangible change in line with WCM-Q’s mission to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions and foster community well-being. Inspired by the principle that “prevention is better than cure,” the campaign aims to raise awareness about health issues and preventive measures. Commenting on the initiative, His Excellency Mr Mansoor Bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud highlighted the importance of Sehatuha in promoting women’s well-being. He stated, “This campaign supports our collective efforts under the National Health Strategy 2024-2030 to improve the health and well-being of the population, encouraging behavioral shifts towards greater health awareness and empowering individuals to take a proactive role in managing their health.” His Excellency further explained that women’s health had been a priority within the Second National Health Strategy, with intensified efforts to empower women and provide them with the necessary knowledge to lead healthier lives. His Excellency added, “Building on the significant achievements made, our new strategy continues to focus on improving health outcomes, with reproductive health as one of its key initiatives.” The Minister of Public Health also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting innovative health initiatives aimed at enhancing public health, commending the vital role played by WCM-Q in this domain. Additionally, His Excellency praised the support of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF), for the healthcare sector, as well as QF’s remarkable contributions to the advancement of Qatar’s healthcare system and the creation of a healthier society. In his welcome speech, Dr Javaid Sheikh praised Qatar’s visionary leadership and the inspiring contributions of female role models. He said, “Inspired by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Sehatuha is more than just a health campaign—it’s a transformative movement that redefines healthcare and paves the way for a healthier, more empowered future for women. Through Sehatuha, we are creating a lifelong platform for women to learn, connect, and grow in their health journey, fostering a culture of self-care, community engagement, and a legacy that will positively impact future generations.” Dr Sheikh concluded by expressing his gratitude to Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and CEO of Qatar Foundation (QF), for her continued support of WCM-Q alumni and for empowering future generations of healthcare leaders. Sehatuha draws strength from its profound connection to the community, bridging gaps through WCM-Q’s alumni network. These healthcare leaders, who are rooted in the community and equipped with firsthand knowledge of its challenges, serve as key catalysts for change. The initiative was developed to support and raise awareness of women’s health issues, drawing on the experiences of alumni working across diverse specialties and healthcare institutions. Many WCM-Q alumni, with their deep roots in Qatar, either as nationals or long-term residents, are exceptionally positioned to champion and advance women’s healthcare education. Sehatuha addresses a woman’s entire lifecycle, from childhood and adolescence to motherhood and her golden years, highlighting health concerns specific to each stage. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology and digital platforms, it promotes physical health, mental and emotional well-being, healthy lifestyle habits, and self-care. Additionally, community engagement activities will be centered on these key themes. Beyond web and podcast episodes featuring WCM-Q alumni and experts, the Sehatuha campaign will host a series of workshops and lectures throughout the year. This dedicated approach provides practical knowledge and shared experiences to inspire and empower women in making informed choices about their health and well-being. By fostering a holistic and integrated health culture, Sehatuha aims to enhance women’s well-being, support a healthier society, and promote both physical and emotional health in Qatar and beyond.
Sidra Medicine and Rasmal Ventures Partner to Drive Digital Health Innovation in Qatar
Advancing Healthcare Through E-health Innovation and Startup Integration 25 February 2025, Doha, Qatar – Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Rasmal Ventures, Qatar’s first venture capital firm. The strategic partnership, announced at the Web Summit Qatar 2025, marks a significant step in the hospital’s role in supporting and advancing digital health innovation in Qatar and beyond. Rasmal Ventures, with its extensive portfolio of global technology companies, will introduce Sidra Medicine to high-potential e-health startups and provide strategic support to incorporate innovative solutions into Sidra Medicine’s operations. In return, Sidra Medicine will contribute its clinical and research expertise to evaluate and refine the startups’ healthcare technologies, ensuring they are effective, scalable, and patient-focused. Moreover, the two organizations will develop entrepreneurship programs that encourage the development and growth of a Health-Tech sector for Qatar. Prof. Khalid Fakhro, Chief Research Officer at Sidra Medicine said: “This partnership highlights our commitment to establishing Sidra Medicine as a leading healthcare innovation hub in Qatar, in alignment with the Qatar National Vision 2030. By collaborating with Rasmal Ventures, we are building upon our current strengths in clinical care, genomics and cell and gene therapy, and taking a proactive approach to adopting innovative technologies and transforming Sidra Medicine into a living lab for entrepreneurial ventures from across Qatar and the world.” The MOU establishes a collaborative framework between the two entities to facilitate the exchange of expertise and best practices in e-health innovations. Through this partnership, Sidra Medicine and Rasmal Ventures aim to drive advancements in innovation, focusing on digital healthcare solutions such as patient-centric artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, telemedicine platforms, and wearable devices. Alexander Wiedmer, Co-Managing Partner at Rasmal Ventures said: “At Rasmal Ventures, we believe that innovation is key to transforming healthcare. Our partnership with Sidra Medicine represents a unique opportunity to bring the latest digital health technologies to the forefront, empowering Qatar’s healthcare system to deliver smarter, more efficient, and patient-centered care.” As part of the agreement, the two entities will host joint workshops, pilot studies, and discussions to validate the efficacy of emerging technologies and foster an open environment for innovation. This partnership positions Sidra Medicine as a driving force in healthcare innovation, creating valuable opportunities for biotech and healthtech leaders. It also underscores Sidra Medicine’s role as a premier destination for medical education and research, attracting innovators and nurturing the development of next-generation healthcare solutions.
