In a boost to children’s healthcare in Qatar, a team of delegates from The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Canada visited Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development yesterday to hold discussions on paediatric care and carry forward their collaboration.
SickKids is a healthcare, teaching and research centre dedicated to advancing paediatric care globally. As part of this commitment, the institution’s leadership signed an agreement in June last year to provide advice and support to the clinical and research programmes of Sidra Medical and Research Center (SMRC), Qatar Foundation’s flagship project.
In addition to its collaboration with SMRC, SickKids offers strategic assistance to Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) to further Qatar’s current research into transforming healthcare for children.
In February 2010, HMC signed a partnership agreement with SickKids to boost research and exchange of expertise in paediatric care between the two institutions. The agreement also aimed to develop a first-of-its-kind children’s hospital in Doha.
Yesterday, SickKids president and CEO Mary Jo Haddad met Dr Fathy Saoud, president of Qatar Foundation, vice-chairperson of the Board of Governors for SMRC and chairman of the Executive Committee, to discuss issues of mutual concern in the field of paediatrics. She was accompanied by a delegation that included Robert Harding, chair, Board of Trustees at the Hospital for Sick Children.
 “This is an excellent opportunity to welcome the leadership and advice of SickKids. The hospital is a highly recognised academic and medical centre that can not only advance paediatrics but also biomedical research at Qatar Foundation,” explained Dr Saoud. “SickKids has been selected as a strategic clinical research partner of SMRC and its valuable contribution is greatly appreciated.”
Considered to be one of the most elite centres in the field of medicine and children’s health, SickKids has been recognised as the top paediatric hospital
in Canada.
 “SickKids is proud to be partnering with Qatar Foundation to improve the lives of children and their families in Qatar,” said Haddad. “The vision for advancing children’s health in Qatar is impressive and a tribute
to the committed leadership of this country.”
“Building capacity for advancing children’s health with visionary partners like Qatar Foundation is a critical component of the SickKids mission,” said Harding. “We look forward to many years of collaboration to advance the education and training of paediatric healthcare professionals in Qatar.”