Qatar unveils certification programme in obesity mgmt and bariatric care​​

It covers areas such as behavioural interventions and nutritional counselling.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has announced the launch of a new certification programme for physicians in obesity management and bariatric care.

The six-month programme is divided into in-person workshops, online training, and clinical training at the National Obesity Treatment Centre and National Bariatric Centre at the Qatar Metabolic Institute (QMI) in Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).

Meanwhile, the curriculum covers key areas such as behavioural interventions, nutritional counselling, pharmacotherapy, and appropriate referrals.

Participants of the programme will receive Specialist Certification of Obesity Professional Education (SCOPE) certification. 

According to Abdul Badi Abou Samra, director of the QMI at HMC and co-chair of the National Diabetes Committee at the MoPH, the programme is aligned with the upcoming 2024-2030 action plan for diabetes, obesity, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD).