Qatar's MOPH Organizes Insights Session on Wastewater Surveillance

Doha, March 21 (QNA) - The Ministry of Public Health and World Health Organisation, in collaboration with Weil Cornell Qatar, Qatar University's genomics team, and the Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute (QEERI), part of Hamad Bin Khalifa University, recently delivered an Insights Session on wastewater surveillance for a healthy and safe World Cup. The Insights Session was led by MOPH's Scientific Reference & Research Taskforce (SRRT), which was established in the Emergency Command Structure to support the National Health Strategic Command Group on COVID-19 to take evidence-based decisions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Thani, Director of the Public Health Department, Ministry of Public Health, and member of the SSRT, explained that the session was run as part of event-based surveillance (EBS) initiative in the Health Security pillar of the three-year partnership between MOPH, WHO, FIFA and the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy. "This unique partnership aims to make the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 a beacon for physical and mental health promotion, and a model for ensuring future mega sport events are healthy and safe. With Qatar set to host the World Cup late this year, today's session is an example of the Ministry's commitment to working with our partners to achieve the aims of the Health Security pillar and ensure a safe and secure environment for the tournament," said Dr. Al Thani. The Insights Session brought together key stakeholders to review the literature globally and provide an update on the latest evidence from wastewater surveillance and epidemiological modelling in Qatar. The session also considered the COVID-19 Omicron wave and the expansion of wastewater monitoring as an innovative tool for broader, enhanced surveillance in support of International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 surveillance requirements. Local and international subject matter experts participated in the session, including from MOPH's SSRT and Health in All Policies Unit; WHO Health Security team members; a WHO wastewater technical expert; mental health and substance misuse specialists; business intelligence specialists; and public health surveillance experts. "Many actions are needed to make a safe and healthy World Cup in 2022, including the rigorous review of evidence and insights across all areas of health, including wastewater monitoring," said Kate Medlicott, Team lead for sanitation and wastewater, WHO headquarters. "For example, use of wastewater surveillance for COVID in many countries over the last two years has provided a valuable source of data to support public health decision making. WHO appreciates the chance to collaborate with our Qatari partners to apply such approaches for wastewater monitoring as part of our multi-pronged strategy to make this year's tournament safe and healthy for all." Dr. Jenny Lawler, Senior Research Director, Water Center, QEERI who participated in the meeting - added: "Wastewater based epidemiology can offer extensive insights by assessing biomarkers of human health on a population-based level. Collection of baseline data in the coming months and surveillance during the FIFA World Cup period will allow for the early detection of potential threats and support timely decision making by the relevant authorities. We look forward to working closely with our national stakeholders and the WHO." (QNA)