WCMC-Q takes health campaign to schools’ sports event

The Sahtak Awalan booth proved to be a popular addition to Qatar Olympic Committee's Schools Olympic Program

A team from WCMC-Q took part in Qatar Olympic Committee’s latest Schools Olympic Program (SOP), teaching visitors the best way to look after their health.

The SOP organizes a variety of sports leagues throughout the year for students at Qatari schools aged between five and 18. These culminate in two days of events at the Aspire Dome when the girls’ and boys’ finals are held.

This year, WCMC-Q’s Sahtak Awalan – Your Health First campaign and the college’s clinical services staff took part, hosting a booth at the event and offering advice to visitors.

Among the equipment brought by the WCMC-Q team was the body analyzer machine, which is able to provide an assessment of a person’s physical health. Pedometers were also given away as were recipes featuring healthy recipes. The Sahtak Awalan television series – featuring a range of topics and advice – was also played. In addition, experts from Qatar Foundation’s Nutrition Services provided dietary information to visitors.

Dr. Javaid Sheikh, Dean of WCMC-Q, said WCMC-Q’s participation at the SOP event was indicative of the importance the college attaches to improving the health of the community.

Dr. Sheikh said: “Our mission is not only to train the next generation of doctors and conduct cutting-edge research. WCMC-Q is also committed to improving the health of the community in which we all live. Through educating people about the best ways to live their lives, we can help prevent serious illnesses like diabetes and heart disease, reduce the economic burden on the healthcare sector and further the aims of Qatar National Vision 2030.”

Sahtak Awalan was launched in 2012 in conjunction with the Supreme Council of Health and with support from high profile organizations and businesses like Qatar Foundation, the Supreme Education Council, Qatar Petroleum, Oxy Qatar, ExxonMobil Inc., Qatar Olympic Committee and Vodafone Qatar.

The aim of the five-year campaign is to inform the population – both nationals and expats - about healthy lifestyles and to encourage them to adopt behaviors that will promote their long-term health. Although the campaign is inclusive and embraces all nationalities, genders and age groups, there is a focus on youth as changing the behavior of the new generation will have lasting, long-term effects.