The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has introduced a new certification program aimed at equipping physicians with specialized skills in obesity management and bariatric care. The comprehensive six-month program includes a combination of in-person workshops, online learning, and hands-on clinical training at the National Obesity Treatment Center and the National Bariatric Center, both part of the Qatar Metabolic Institute (QMI) within Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
The curriculum focuses on key areas such as behavioral interventions, nutritional counseling, pharmacotherapy, and appropriate patient referrals. Upon completion, participants will earn the prestigious Specialist Certification of Obesity Professional Education (SCOPE) certification.
Dr. Abdul Badi Abou Samra, director of the QMI at HMC and co-chair of the National Diabetes Committee at the MoPH, noted that the program aligns with Qatar’s forthcoming 2024-2030 action plan addressing diabetes, obesity, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD).
