Qatar has highlighted the global significance of equitable access to precision healthcare during the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). In a Qatar-hosted session titled “Precision Health for All: The Role of International Partnerships,” key leaders including scientists, policymakers, and health industry experts gathered to discuss the nation’s groundbreaking efforts in precision healthcare and its vision for global partnerships.
Addressing the session, Qatar’s Minister of Public Health, Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, emphasized the country’s commitment to integrating precision health into its healthcare system, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030. She outlined key initiatives such as genomic sequencing and genetic screening, which have paved the way for advancing medical research and early diagnosis of diseases. The Qatar Precision Healthcare Institute has already mapped the Qatari and Arab genome, identifying unique genetic variants, while the biobank established in the country is being used to enhance precision healthcare services.
Dr. Al Kuwari noted that Qatar’s shift from treatment-based care to prevention could provide substantial health, economic, and societal benefits. She stressed that strong global collaborations are necessary to fully realize the potential of precision health and called on international experts to join forces in this effort.
Moderating the session, Dr. Hilal Lashuel, Executive Director of Research, Development, and Innovation at Qatar Foundation, addressed the critical issue of underrepresentation in genomic studies. With more than 80% of genetic data coming from populations of European descent, large segments of the world—including Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America—remain excluded from research and resulting healthcare benefits. Dr. Lashuel underscored the need for a systemic approach to overcoming these barriers, ensuring that precision health solutions do not deepen existing health inequalities.
Dr. Khaled Machaca, Senior Associate Dean for Research at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, reinforced that while some countries may lack advanced sequencing capabilities, the power of data remains a crucial asset in advancing precision health.
In recognition of Qatar’s achievements, Dr. Ann Aerts, Head of the Novartis Foundation, praised the country’s rapid progress in setting up a precision health system and its commitment to sharing knowledge with less developed nations. This reflects Qatar’s broader vision of fostering international partnerships to make precision healthcare more accessible and inclusive globally.
The session showcased Qatar’s leadership in creating a healthcare model that not only focuses on personalized medicine but also champions global equity in health outcomes.
