5 days ago
HMC launches Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Programme
Tribune News Network
Doha
Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) Qatar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI) has announced the official launch of a four-year Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Residency Programme, a milestone initiative that marks a major leap forward in advancing Qatar's academic medicine and rehabilitation workforce development.
The programme will commence in the upcoming academic year and is developed in alignment with international standards. This programme positions QRI as a regional leader in training future physiatrists with unparalleled access to cutting-edge technologies, interdisciplinary care, and structured academic mentorship.
Dr Hanadi Al Hamad, deputy chief of Rehabilitation, Long-Term Care, and Geriatrics, and CEO and medical director of Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, expressed her pride: 'This is a prestigious achievement for QRI and for Qatar. Establishing the PM&R Residency Programme reflects our firm commitment to capacity building, clinical excellence, and innovation in rehabilitation. It is a key milestone in our strategy development as well as Qatar's National Health Strategy 2024-2030. Enhanced by the WHO's Rehabilitation 2030 initiative, we are not only shaping careers, we are shaping the future of rehabilitation in Qatar.'
Dr Abdulla Rashid Al Naimi, deputy chief medical officer, Medical Education at HMC, emphasised the broader strategic value: 'The launch of this residency programme exemplifies how HMC is driving Qatar's transformation into a knowledge-based, healthcare-leading nation. It supports our vision of building a sustainable, highly skilled medical workforce and is a platform for empowerment, excellence, and future leadership.'
The PM&R Residency Programme is the first of its kind in Qatar, offering a structured, accredited curriculum that empowers residents to grow into independent, research-driven, and globally competent specialists. Residents will gain hands-on experience in advanced rehabilitation services, including neuromodulation, GAIT analysis, virtual reality therapy, and spasticity management, all within a world-class, multidisciplinary clinical environment.
Dr Fatma Jassim Al-Kuwari, acting chairperson of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and the driving force behind the establishment of the programme, commented: 'This programme is a turning point for Qatari medical graduates. It creates a direct and prestigious pathway to specialise in physical medicine and rehabilitation within our own health system. By investing in our future physicians, we are building a self-sufficient and resilient rehabilitation ecosystem that supports national priorities and inspires our youth to pursue excellence in this vital specialty.'
This milestone also reflects Qatar's commitment to fostering innovation, research, and clinical leadership within rehabilitation medicine. By investing in advanced medical education, HMC and QRI are paving the way for long-term improvements in patient care, service delivery, and professional development across the continuum of care.
