HMC, Heidelberg University Hospital Sign Agreement to Enhance Collaboration in Clinical Research in Qatar

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Heidelberg University Hospital, an internationally renowned clinical and research institution located in Heidelberg, Germany, have signed an agreement to enhance mutual collaborations in clinical, translational, and basic research. The agreement was signed by Her Excellency Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health for the State of Qatar, Prof. Dr. Annette Grüters-Kieslich, Chief Medical Director and Chairwoman of the Board of Heidelberg University Hospital, and Mrs. Irmtraut Gürkan, Administrative Director and Vice-Chairwoman of the Board, Heidelberg University Hospital.

The Minister of Public Health expressed her strong support for the deepening relationship between HMC and Heidelberg University Hospital, which will see further development of collaborative programs in medicine, especially in the fields of cancer research, technology transfer, and training.

“The purpose of the agreement is to promote opportunities for clinical and basic research collaborations, and to advance healthcare delivery in Qatar,” said Her Excellency Dr. Al Kuwari. “We are very pleased to be entering into this important agreement with the Heidelberg University Hospital, as we work together to explore new ways to deliver better patient care.”

The signing of the agreement was witnessed by senior leaders from medical and university institutions in Qatar and Germany and took place during the opening ceremony of the first Doha–Heidelberg Research Conference on 27 January, 2018.

Prof. Grüters-Kieslich, who also gave the keynote address at the opening ceremony, stated: “An important focus in the development strategy of Heidelberg University Hospital is strengthening international networks in clinical research and medical care. For many years Hamad Medical Corporation has been an important partner for Heidelberg University Hospital and this agreement opens the way to take our relationship to a new level in the future.”

“Hamad already has a long-standing relationship with Heidelberg University Hosptial and this agreement will see advanced opportunities for joint collaboration, particularly  for cancer research and training that will benefit  a wide range of institutions in Qatar,” said Dr. Saad Al Kaabi, Conference Organizing Committee Chairman and Chairman of the International Medical Affairs Office at HMC.

“The success of this first research conference between our two organizations has seen many clinicians, researchers, and academics come together to share knowledge and experience which will help inspire future collaboration opportunities,” added Dr. Al Kaabi.

Experts in the fields of Gastro-Intestinal (GI) cancer, neuro-oncology, and hematological malignancies as well as pediatric cancers and genomic medicine in newborns presented their research results during this two-day conference.

The National Center for Tumor Diseases NCT of the Heidelberg University Hospital is an international leader in cancer medicine and has a strong academic focus on improving cancer care through intensive clinical research.