The newly opened Qatar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI) of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) recently organised a training course for staff of Hamad International Airport (HIA), to teach them how to best assist passengers with disabilities.

The three-day course was attended by 26 participants from various sections of Hamad International Airport, including Qatar Aviation Services and Al Maha Services.

QRI Chairperson Dr Wafa Al Yazeedi said it is extremely important that specific needs of people with disabilities are considered and met by large organisations and public facilities in Qatar.

Through this course, we aim to share the expertise of our clinical teams at QRI with the staff of Hamad International Airport so that they will be able to offer people with disabilities the very best experience possible when passing through the airport.’

The training, which offered both theory and practical workshops, focused on communication, providing appropriate assistance to people with various kinds of disabilities (physical, sensory, and intellectual), and handling associated equipment (e.g. wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and hearing aids).

Trainers for the course include medical and allied health professionals from QRI – physicians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech therapists. Individuals with disabilities and their families who have experienced travelling via HIA also participated in the training.

The course trainers included medical and allied health professionals

Course participants spent time at HMC Bayt Aman, the QRI residential facility for expatriate workers who have completed medical treatment and are waiting to return home. Hussam Halawi, Customer Care Manager at Qatar Aviation Services said they were happy to spend time between QRI and Bayt Aman.

More information about QRI available on the HMC website