The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) 2024 held by Qatar Foundation launched two important health initiatives to combat obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. One of the initiatives is the CARDIO4Cities program developed by the Novartis Foundation which uses data to help policymakers make better healthcare decisions. This program has been successfully tested in several countries and aims to address the growing challenges surrounding cardiovascular health in Qatar.
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in Qatar, with preventable deaths accounting for a significant portion of these fatalities. The Director of Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani emphasized the need to implement targeted interventions to lower deaths from cardiovascular conditions in Qatar. The goal is to see significant improvements in the care and experiences of individuals living with heart disease within the next five years.
Furthermore, the President of the World Heart Foundation, Professor Jagat Narula, highlighted the importance of reducing risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stress, and smoking. He commended Qatar’s initiatives and expressed his commitment to making them a model for other countries to follow in combating cardiovascular diseases.
The National Action Plan on Obesity, Diabetes, and Modifiable Risk Factors for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) 2024-2030 was launched during WISH 2024. This plan aims to address obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases linked to atherosclerosis in line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and the National Health Strategy 2024-2030. It includes 58 projects with objectives focused on prevention, optimal management, and empowerment of the public and healthcare professionals.
Assistant Minister for Health Affairs, Dr. Salih Ali Al Marri, emphasized the importance of the new action plan in reducing mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030. The plan aims to empower individuals and families to make informed health choices and create supportive environments for health and wellness. The Co-Chair of the National Diabetes Committee, Professor Abdul Badi Abou Samra, highlighted the proactive and unified approach of the action plan in combatting obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
The WISH 2024 Summit brought together over 3,000 delegates and 200 global health leaders to discuss evidence-based ideas and practices in healthcare innovation. The summit focused on addressing urgent global health challenges such as the impact of conflict on healthcare, cancer, antimicrobial resistance, mental health, and palliative care. The initiatives launched during the summit aim to improve the health and well-being of individuals in Qatar by targeting preventable diseases and promoting a proactive approach to healthcare.
