HMC organizes health exhibition at Ruqaya Independent Preparatory School for Girls

As part of its efforts to help school students learn about roles and job opportunities in the healthcare sector, Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Health Professions Awareness and Volunteering Program recently organized a two-day health exhibition at Ruqaya Independent Preparatory School for Girls.

In addition to encouraging students to consider a career in the health sector, the exhibition aimed to help Qatar’s youth understand the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and adopting practices to protect themselves from diseases and injuries.

Ms. Balqees Al Khazraji, Director of the Health Professions Awareness and Volunteering Program at HMC, said: “The exhibition was attended by representatives of different hospitals and departments within HMC as well as by external organizations. Students were introduced to various medical, nursing and allied health career options. We also presented various volunteer opportunities available within HMC’s Health Professions Awareness and Volunteering Program, including the Doctors Without Borders and Engineers Without Borders programs.

The event also served as an opportunity for HMC’s Corporate Nursing and Midwifery Department to introduce the role of nurses to the students in attendance and to discuss the promising career opportunities available in nursing. Staff from HMC’s Ambulance Service also held practical sessions on basic first aid techniques and students were also offered advice on how to prevent injuries and protect their own health, as well as the health and well-being of their family members.

While HMC’s Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics organized educational sessions to raise awareness of the best ways to maintain good health and make healthy lifestyle choices, staff from a specialist dermatology clinic in Rumailah Hospital participated in the event to provide expert advice on how to maintain good skin health.

Heart Hospital staff also attended the event and offered information on the services delivered at the hospital. They educated students on cardiovascular diseases and how to prevent them. Members of the Audiology Unit, Podiatry Clinic, and Dietetics Department also offered professional advice about their respective fields.       

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) also participated, organizing various activities aimed at raising awareness about the importance of healthy eating for young people. Participants were provided with education and awareness materials on various health topics. The event also saw participation from a number of external organizations, including Sidra Medical and Research Center and Mental Health Friends Association (WEYAK). Representatives of the British Council also attended the event to present the various educational services offered by the organization.

“The event saw active participation from professional teams representing the Communicable Diseases Department and the Blindness Prevention Program at the Ministry of Public Health. Both teams presented the Ministry’s efforts to improve the health of Qatar's population. In addition, the event included exhibitors from the Qatar Armed Forces Medical Service, Ministry of Interior’s Community Policing and Drug Enforcement Departments along with representatives from the Qatar National Anti-Doping Commission and Qatar Red Crescent,” Ms. Al Khazraji added.

Members from the Qatar Career Fair Center attended the event to educate the students about the healthcare job market. The event also saw the participation of some voluntary work organizations, such as the Qatar Social and Cultural Center for the Blind.