Doha: Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Qatar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI) announced the official launch of a four-year Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM and R) Residency Program, marking a significant advancement in Qatar’s academic medicine and rehabilitation workforce development.
According to Qatar News Agency, the program will commence in the upcoming academic year and is developed in alignment with international standards. This initiative positions QRI as a regional leader in training future physiatrists, providing access to advanced technologies, interdisciplinary care, and structured academic mentorship.
The PM and R Residency Program is the first of its kind in Qatar, offering a structured, accredited curriculum. It aims to develop residents into independent, research-driven, and globally competent specialists. Participants will receive practical experience in advanced rehabilitation services, including neuromodulation, GAIT analysis, virtual reality therapy, and spasticity management, within a multidisciplinary clinical environment.
Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad, Deputy Chief of Rehabilitation, Long-Term Care, and Geriatrics, and CEO and Medical Director of QRI, expressed her pride in the program’s launch. She highlighted its alignment with Qatar’s National Health Strategy 2024-2030 and the WHO’s Rehabilitation 2030 initiative, emphasizing its role in shaping the future of rehabilitation in Qatar.
Dr. Abdulla Rashid Al Naimi, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Medical Education at HMC, noted the program’s contribution to transforming Qatar into a knowledge-based, healthcare-leading nation. He emphasized its importance in building a sustainable, highly skilled medical workforce and supporting future leadership.
Dr. Fatma Jassim Al Kuwari, Acting Chairperson of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, described the program as a turning point for Qatari medical graduates. She highlighted its role in creating a prestigious pathway for specialization within Qatar’s health system, contributing to a self-sufficient rehabilitation ecosystem that aligns with national priorities.