Qatar's technical health studies second to none

"The success of healthcare systems relies not just on doctors and surgeons but also on allied healthcare workers, nurses and support practitioners," said Christine Bolan, Dean of the School of Health Sciences at the College of the North Atlantic-Qatar, on the sidelines of the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress in Dubai.

Under the banner of Leading the Change, the College of the North Atlantic-Qatar was one of a consortium of leading medical and educational institutions and organisations from Qatar, headed by the Ministry of Health, which mounted the biggest pavilion of any Gulf country at Arab Health from 26-29 January 2009.

"As the first and only technical college in Qatar, we opened our doors in 2002 and now offer 30 programmes in six areas of study and a wide variety of contract training and continuing education courses," Bolan added.

The School of Health Studies fills the need for talented, well-trained and caring health professionals at the technical level by providing programmes based on international curricula and tailored for the Gulf region, including:

• A dental assistant programme with a fully equipped dental clinic

• Emergency medical science students use an on-site ambulance and simulators

• Food safety and inspection students visit grocery stores and restaurants to learn how to complete food site inspections
• Medical radiography students use the latest digital radiography equipment to examine real X-rays

• Occupational health and safety students learn about workplace hazards relevant to the major industries of Qatar and the Gulf

• Pharmacy technician students use equipment and software used daily by pharmacists

• Pre-nursing students learn the basics to enter the University of Calgary-Qatar's nursing programme

• Public health students work with a qualified inspector for two terms to gain real world experience

• Respiratory therapy students practice their skills in a lab designed like an intensive care unit complete with cardiac monitors, ventilators and simulators

"Many of our students are sponsored by healthcare agencies and private industry looking to recruit specifically trained graduates," Bolan. "Qatar is a great place to start a career in healthcare. Students at CNA-Q will tell you they are proud to play a role in helping their country to be a better and healthier place."