Day: May 4, 2024

Islamabad: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) distributed 370 food baskets on Thursday in Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The aid benefited 2,590 individuals from the most vulnerable and needy groups in flood-affected areas, as part of the fourth phase of the Food Security Support Project in Pakistan 2024.

This initiative is part of a series of humanitarian and relief projects undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, aimed at assisting individuals in need and those affected by various crises.

Source: Saudi Press Agency

Kyiv, At least six people were injured in overnight Russian drone strikes on the Kharkiv and Dnipro regions of Ukraine.

In a statement, the Ukrainian Air Force announced that Moscow launched 13 drones targeting the northeastern and central regions of the country, confirming that all drones were shot down.

On Telegram, Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that the wreckage of the downed drones hit civilian targets in the area, injuring four people and setting an administrative building on fire.

Dnipropetrovsk regional governor Serhiy Lysak also announced that two people were injured in the Russian attack, noting that a critical infrastructure facility and three houses were damaged.

Moscow and Kyiv regularly exchange drone strikes as part of the ongoing conflict between the two sides, with no apparent resolution in sight.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Gaza, The number of casualties of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza enclave since October has risen to 34,654 martyrs and 77,908 injured, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reported on Saturday.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza highlighted that such a toll is expected to increase as there are still thousands of victims laying underneath the rubble and on roads, with the Israeli occupation soldiers preventing the paramedics and civil defense personnel from reaching out to them.

Meanwhile, the Israeli fighter aircraft and artillery continued intense bombing of various areas across the Gaza enclave with a massive shelling in Rafah city south of the enclave which targeted homes, assembly points of displaced people and streets resulting in dozens of martyrs and wounded.

Rafah is the last refuge for over one million of Palestinian displaced people who have been commuting from one area to the other due to the Israeli aggression and are braced for new displacement waves following news about a large-scale incursion into
this city, with the United Nations and many relief organizations warning of a catastrophic situation that will befall hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Rafah if the city is overrun.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Rome, The hard-hit northern Gaza was now in full-blown famine and it’s moving its way south, said Director of the UN World Food Program Cindy McCain.

The Palestinian News Agency (WAFA) quoted the remarks of McCain as saying that the population in the Gaza Strip suffers from severe food shortages and food insecurity after seven months of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, indicating that her remarks come based on what the program saw on the ground.

“There is real horror, and it is very difficult to look at or hear it”, she added, hoping that a ceasefire will be reached to start feeding those people rapidly, especially in the north.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), in collaboration with the Qatar Metabolic Institute (QMI) and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), organized the Third Qatar Diabetes and Obesity Research Symposium.

The Symposium was co-delivered alongside the eighth annual Qatar Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Conference (QDEM-8), significantly enhancing the collaborative experience for all participants.

This year’s Symposium delved into three pivotal themes: Type 1 Diabetes, Obesity, and New Discoveries, demonstrating a comprehensive commitment to advancing the screening, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and potential decline of diabetes and obesity in Qatar.

The event also spotlighted innovative contributions from Qatar’s young researchers from different Qatari academic and healthcare organizations as well as presenting groundbreaking research findings. Enthusiastically received, the Symposium drew an impressive audience, with over 500 attendees participating in person and an additional 500 engaging online
.

Addressing the symposium, Director of Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention Programs at MoPH Dr Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani noted the urgent global threats posed by diabetes and obesity, which affect millions and are on the rise. He detailed the profound impact in Qatar, from extensive health implications for individuals to burdens on public health and the healthcare system.

Dr Sheikh Mohammed Al-Thani underscored the significant research opportunities in addressing these metabolic conditions and praised the Symposium’s role in facilitating vital discussions with leading local and international experts, sharing groundbreaking insights and research.

For his part, Chair of the Research Sub-Committee of the National Diabetes Committee Prof Shahrad Taheri emphasized the significant role of Qatar’s research in addressing global diabetes and obesity challenges. He praised the annual Research Symposia for highlighting local research efforts and fostering collaborations. Complementing the Symposia, the Qat
ar Diabetes and Obesity Research webinars successfully engaged nearly 2000 healthcare professionals and researchers per session. Prof Taheri applauded the efforts of Qatar’s healthcare and academic institutions for their commitment to a research roadmap, as set in the Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Research Agenda of the National Diabetes Strategy, which aims to improve public health and clinical outcomes.

Co-Chair of the National Diabetes Committee and Director of the Qatar Metabolic Institute (QMI) Prof Abdul Badi Abou-Samra highlighted the Symposium’s strategic alignment with the objectives of the National Diabetes Strategy and the Research Agenda set forth by the National Diabetes Committee and its Research Sub-Committee, operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Public Health.

He said that diabetes and Obesity represent significant public health challenges and are strongly associated with a range of serious health complications including heart disease, stroke, and various cancer
s. These conditions, while genetically influenced, are further exacerbated by environmental factors.

“Through Qatar’s dedicated research efforts, we aim to enhance our understanding of the underlying causes of diabetes and obesity on a local scale. This crucial knowledge will not only aid in reducing their prevalence but also support the development of comprehensive prevention and management strategies, support informed policy-making and effective allocation of resources”, Prof Abou-Samra stated.

Clinical Director, National Diabetes Centre, Hamad General Hospital, HMC Dr Mahmoud Ali Zirie commented on the Symposium’s significant contribution to the annual Qatar Diabetes and Endocrinology and Metabolic (QDEM) conference over the past three years, uniting researchers, and clinicians to explore new initiatives focused on patient care and outcomes.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Doha: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) announced that its Ambulance Service has been recognized as an Accredited Center of Excellence (ACE) by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) for the fourth consecutive time.

This accreditation is a testament to its unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards in emergency medical dispatch, being the highest distinction given to emergency communication centers, certifying that it is performing at or above the established standards for the industry.

It demonstrates a strong understanding of the environment it operates in, robust quality processes and a commitment to data-driven continuous improvement.

The accreditation process is rigorous, involving a detailed evaluation by industry experts and a final review by the IAED of HMC’s Ambulance Service’s adherence to 20 different accreditation points.

Assistant Executive Director of Communication at HMC’s National Command Center Abdulaziz Al Yafei commented saying: “This recognition by the I
AED as a Center of Excellence reflects HMC’s continued dedication to providing top-quality emergency care to the community of Qatar. It is not just an honor but a reaffirmation of our commitment to excellence in emergency medical services.” “Our dedication and hard work have been instrumental in achieving this prestigious certification, which plays a crucial role in enhancing the trust and safety of the people of Qatar,” Al Yafei said.

“We are immensely proud of achieving this milestone for the fourth time, which would not have been possible without the visionary framework of the Qatar Vision 2030 and the relentless efforts of our dedicated staff,” he added.

The accolade was formally recognized last week at an event in Maryland, US. HMC’s reaccreditation is valid for three years, during which, its Ambulance Service is committed to continuing to uphold the high international standards set by the IAED.

HMCAS uses the IAED’s Priority Dispatch System, a protocol-based system that is recognized as the standard
of care for emergency dispatch across 46 countries. This system ensures that each emergency call is handled with the utmost efficiency and effectiveness, providing essential support to emergency responders and the community they serve.

Source: Qatar News Agency