HMC's Qatar Metabolic Institute Receives Award For Global Leadership In Tackling Obesity At 80Th UN General Assembly

Doha, Qatar: Hamad Medical Corporation's Qatar Metabolic Institute (QMI) has received the prestigious 2025 World Health Organization (WHO) -United Nations (UN) Inter-Agency Task Force on Noncommunicable Diseases Award for its global leadership in obesity prevention and management. The award was presented during the 80th UN General Assembly in New York on 25 September 2025.

Established in 2016, QMI serves as Qatar's hub for innovation, coordination, and capacity building in obesity, diabetes and metabolic care. Bringing together national centers of excellence in obesity medicine, bariatric medicine, diabetes and research, it advances population health by integrating clinical services, developing evidence-based guidelines, training healthcare professionals and the public and conducting research that translates policy into measurable outcomes.

This multidisciplinary, patient-centered model has positioned Qatar as a regional and global leader in obesity and diabetes care.

Dr. Dabia Al-Mohanadi, Director of QMI and Division Chief of Endocrinology at HMC, added:“Obesity is one of the defining health challenges of our time, affecting families, communities and health systems worldwide. At QMI, we are reshaping how this chronic disease is addressed-building an integrated model that unites prevention, early detection, advanced care, education and research into a seamless system. This award affirms Qatar's leadership in reimagining how countries can confront the global obesity epidemic with vision and innovation.

Our mission is about people, not statistics. Every adolescent and every adult living with obesity deserves timely, compassionate care. By combining innovation, collaboration, and a patient-centered approach, QMI has positioned Qatar as a hub for solutions that can inspire and be scaled globally. The models of care pioneered in Qatar are already shaping the future of metabolic health worldwide.”

Key achievements and programs of work by QMI recognized at the UNIATF Awards 2025 included:

Specialist Care: Expanded multidisciplinary obesity and bariatric services across the National Obesity Treatment Centre, the National Bariatric Center, and Aisha Bint Hamad Al Attiyah Hospital, with tailored pathways for adolescents and people with disabilities.

Integration and Care Pathways: Redesigned national obesity pathways to streamline referrals, strengthen care, and ensuring patients receive the right treatment at the right time. A robust monitoring and evaluation framework was also implemented to track outcomes, referral patterns, and patient feedback, creating a more efficient, equitable, and patient-centered system.

Capacity Building: Established the region's first ACGME-International accredited Obesity Medicine Fellowship Program and launched a CPD-accredited Certificate in Obesity Management and Bariatric Care that equips healthcare professionals with practical skills.

Groundbreaking Research: Led landmark D trials, to identify that intensive lifestyle interventions can reverse early type 2 diabetes.

Policy and Systems Leadership: Provided technical expertise to support the development of national guidelines and referral pathways.

Innovation in Crisis: Maintained uninterrupted care during COVID-19 through virtual clinics, home delivery of medicines and obesity webinar series for the public, ensuring patients stayed informed and supported throughout the disruption.

Community Engagement: Led national campaigns such as World Obesity Day and World Diabetes Day, reaching tens of thousands through health screenings, education, and digital platforms. These initiatives supported people in managing obesity, addressing stigma and promoting healthier lifestyles.

This recognition highlights QMI's role not only as Qatar's national leader in tackling obesity but also as a global model for integrated approaches to noncommunicable diseases. Building on this achievement, QMI will continue to drive innovation, strengthen partnerships, and scale solutions that improve health outcomes in Qatar and set new benchmarks globally.

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