Critical issues in occupational health were explored at a recent symposium hosted by Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q). The symposium, coordinated by the Institute for Population Health (IPH), was designed to provide a platform for discussion and knowledge sharing about occupational health strategies, while also raising awareness and advocating for effective occupational health policies to enhance the safety of employees and the public.

‘Occupational Health is Everyone’s Business’ featured a variety of expert speakers on subjects such as occupational health in the airline and construction industries; health of migrant workers; an overview of occupational health issues; and risk mitigation.

Dr Ravinder Mamtani, Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Population Health, Capacity Building and Student Affairs, said that occupational health is truly everyone’s business.

Whether you are a senior manager, an employee or a member of the public, your health must be proactively protected and the way to do this is through effective occupational health strategies. Intelligently designed occupational health strategies actually boost productivity and overall economic activity.’

Dr Penny Stern, Director of Preventive Medicine at Northwell Health in New York, gave a presentation on occupational health opportunities and challenges in the construction industry while Dr John Roberts, the Medical Director of Qatar Airways Group, discussed occupational health in the aviation industry.

Occupational health is taken very seriously by Qatar Airways as the health and safety of our passengers and staff is our number one priority. We are convinced that a comprehensive, effective and caring occupational health strategy not only makes us a better and safer airline, but also more productive and more efficient as a corporation.’

The symposium was accredited locally by the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners-Accreditation Department (QCHP-AD) and by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

For more information about informational events hosted and organised by WCM-Q, visit their website at qatar-weill.cornell.edu.