MoPH conducts pilot foundation course on public health emergency management

Doha, Qatar - The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) recently held a pilot foundation course focused on public health emergency management, uniting 72 participants from diverse sectors involved in preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The training program, outlined in the National Training Plan, aims to bolster national capacities and bolster preparedness by fostering a shared comprehension of essential principles in public health emergency management.

Key topics addressed during the course included preparedness and response strategies, emergency operations management, multisectoral coordination, risk assessment, national and international frameworks, as well as risk communication and community engagement. Director of the Health Emergency Department, Dr Soha Al Bayat, explained that the course was initiated in response to the 2024 multisectoral training needs assessment and the 2025 National Health Emergency Management Training Plan Development Workshop.

Both emphasized the necessity for a united national training program centered on public health emergency management.

Dr Soha highlighted the critical importance of bolstering national capacity and enhancing coordination among relevant stakeholders. She also acknowledged the intensive engagement and active participation displayed by all attendees during the pilot phase. She revealed that the insights gained from this initial phase and the lessons learned will play a pivotal role in refining and formally approving the training curriculum prior to the program's nationwide implementation.

The course contributes to Qatar's ongoing efforts to establish a resilient public health emergency preparedness and response system, adhering to international standards and best practices.