Doha: 28 February 2022 – The Department of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery at Hamad Medical Corporation is hosting World Obesity Day events at Hamad General Hospital to raise awareness of obesity risks and strategies to treat and prevent obesity in patients. Dr. Abdulla Al Ansari, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Surgery Departments at HMC witnessed the opening ceremony and the team of experts gave an explanation of the public awareness events and activities.
Held under the theme “Together Against Obesity”, Dr. Moataz Al Bashah, Head of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery at HMC, said recognizing World Obesity Day provides HMC with an opportunity to engage members of the community to introduce them to the services provided by HMC to treat and reduce the prevalence of obesity, with high rates of obesity in Qatar meaning it is very important to maintain a healthy weight and prevent obesity among all age groups.
“Obesity places people at higher risk for serious diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases, and some types of cancer. HMC provides diagnostic and treatment services for obesity patients in six facilities: Hamad Genera Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital, Ambulatory Care Center, Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, The Cuban Hospital, and the National Obesity Treatment Center. More than 10,000 outpatient visits have taken place annually since establishing of the Department of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery in 2011 with 9 doctors, 13 bariatric surgeons, nutritionists, physiotherapists educators and medical and administrative teams,” Al Bashah said.
“The obesity awareness booth is located at the main entrance of HGH and will be available from 27 February until 3 March to provide answers by a team of obesity experts to patients and visitors of HGH on how to measure the body mass index, obesity levels, ideal weight, healthy eating, and advice on healthy meals that reduce people’s weight. The team will also increase public awareness about the risk of high fat foods and high calorie drinks that cause weight gain and the importance of exercising to avoid obesity. The booth also offers flyers about obesity and the related risks,” said Dr. Mohamed Aly Elsherif, Consultant, Bariatric Endocrinology at HMC
“The Department of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery provides consultations and treatment plans for obesity patients through medications or surgical interventions. In line with the National Health Strategy 2018 to 2022, the Department of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery launched academic programs in medical education led by Dr. Wahiba Al Haj, Senior Consultant in Obesity, including a three year fellowship program in obesity completed by a Qatari doctor in 2021 who became the first Qatari doctor to specialize in obesity. The academic program includes a two year fellowship program in obesity in addition to more than 120 research papers published by the team in specialized medical conferences locally and internationally,” Elsherif added.
Body mass index (BMI) is a strategy used by doctors to determine whether the weight of the patient is proportional with age, gender and height. A BMI between 25 and 29.9 indicates that a person is carrying excess weight and a BMI of 30 or above suggests that a person may have obesity.
“Every year, Primary Health Care Corporation celebrates the World Obesity Day to educate the public about weight gain problems and obesity and to enhance the joint efforts and the necessary capacity to reduce and prevent the adverse results of obesity on the community members in Qatar,” said Ms Moudi Hamad Al Hajri, Director of Nutrition at PHCC.
A number of PHCC centers and nutrition clinics and advanced medical techniques were introduced to improve the diagnostic and treatment services for obesity and weight management. These services meet the best international standards in diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
“PHCC focuses on launching prevention health plans, initiatives and programs to reduce obesity among the community in Qatar. We also encourage the medical teams and nutritionists to conduct research and studies and review the local and international reports that highlight efforts and community engagement efforts to reduce obesity and prevent the risk factors. We publish continuous awareness messages to the community to enhance health among different age groups and reduce obesity and related risks through avoiding non-healthy lifestyles.” Added Ms. Moudi.
