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Law and medicine in Qatar

Dr. Javaid Sheikh said that a a strong legal framework was necessary for both patients and healthcare professionals.
Dr. Javaid Sheikh said that a a strong legal framework was necessary for both patients and healthcare professionals.

Legal issues relating to the practice of medicine in Qatar were discussed as experts convened for the first international conference on the intersection between law and medicine to be held in Qatar.

Organized jointly by WCM-Q, Qatar University’s Schools of Law and Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), the ‘Law and Medicine: Challenging the Future’ conference explored the critical medical and legal challenges faced by medical practitioners, as well as the rights and safety of patients in the light of rapid advances in medical care, research and technology.

Hosted at Qatar University and supported by funding from Qatar National Research Fund, the conference brought together legal and healthcare experts from across the world for two days of presentations, panel discussions and networking sessions.

Speakers included Dr. Ibrahim Janahi and Dr. Michael Richmond of HMC; Dr. Marcellina Mian, professor of pediatrics and associate dean for medical education at WCM-Q; Dr. Tim McDonald and Clinton Hermes from Sidra; Dr. Humayun “Hank” Chaudhry, president and chief executive officer of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) of the United States; and Stephen P. Nash of Squire Patton Boggs, who delivered the keynote address.

The topics addressed by the delegates 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.

WCM-Q dean Dr. Javaid Sheikh said:

“Qatar’s healthcare sector has experienced very rapid growth over the past two decades. Some of the best doctors in the world are here practicing the most up-to-date medicine with highly advanced technology. To allow this advanced healthcare to be delivered, a robust legal and regulatory framework must be in place to protect patients as well as healthcare professionals.

As such, it is very important that academic and healthcare delivery institutions bring students, practitioners, policy-makers and the community at large together to promote a safe and effective healthcare environment for the public.”

Dr. Sheikh added:

“This conference provided an excellent opportunity to hear from some of the world’s leading experts in the legal, medical and health regulatory fields, helping us to develop and coordinate the legal and regulatory framework which best protects patients and healthcare practitioners alike.”