Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) College of Law and Public Policy (CLPP) has been working with high-profile legal and medical specialists from across local and transnational organizations in Qatar as part of CLPP’s innovative course on Health Care Law, which recently concluded in the Spring semester. Led and designed by Dr. Barry Solaiman, assistant professor at CLPP, the unique module was exclusively available to Juris Doctor (JD) students and comparatively examined health care law and policy in both the United Kingdom (UK) and Qatar.

Alongside Dr. Solaiman, 12 guest speakers – all leaders in their respective fields – were invited to speak to the class from the standpoint of Qatari law and the legal issues in the country. Their first-hand insight enriched the education of students while also providing the foundations for a collaborative platform for health sector professionals to discuss legal concerns. 

Reflecting on the course, Professor Clinton Francis, dean of CLPP, said: “This was an ideal experience for CLPP’s students and we were fortunate to be part of a module that is at the cutting-edge of legal education, comprising both the fundamental theoretical elements of health care law, as well as the hands-on practical experience of leading experts in Qatar. This was made possible because of the willingness of our speakers who have extensive experience in furthering the health care system in line with Qatar’s 2030 vision.”

Distinguished guest speakers included representatives from the Ministry of Public Health, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Q Life Medical Insurance Company, as well as many other leading doctors who have spearheaded the development of law and policy of health care issues in Qatar. The course culminated with lectures and a visit to the Fahad Bin Jasim Kidney Center in Doha following the kind invite of the Center’s Director, Dr. Riadh Fadhil. 

"I had a wonderful experience talking to the students of the Health Care Law course at HBKU. I started the presentation with background information about mental health services in Qatar, followed by a discussion on mental health law, and the challenges associated with its implication. I was initially unsure whether the JD students would be interested in hearing about mental health. I must say I was very pleasantly surprised at the level of interest and engagement among the group. The discussions were quite lively and reflected the high level of understanding and awareness the students had," said Dr. Suhaila Ghuloum, senior consultant psychiatrist at Hamad Medical Corporation and associate professor at Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar. 

"Mental health is now one of the priority areas within the national health and public health strategies. Qatar's mental health strategy is currently being reviewed, and the country is ahead within the region in this field. The first mental health strategy was launched in Qatar in December 2016. Efforts are now underway to initiate the application of this law, which we anticipate will have a significant impact on the nature of mental health care provided in this country. It is therefore timely that this course includes a mental health presentation and I thank Dr. Barry Solaiman for initiating it," she continued.

An innovative course with regards to both the country and the region, the comparative module enabled students to receive a holistic educational experience covering critical issues such as organ donations, mental health, pregnancy, death, medical malpractice, medical research, bioethics, and health system governance.

Dr. Solaiman said: “This is only the beginning for the Health Care Law module. With the support of numerous leading visitors who kindly gave their time, the course got off to a good start. We aim to build on these solid foundations for the future by developing strong collaborative links with the health care sector in Qatar. In short, this should be a two-way process between HBKU and the sector. Experts have poured their time and knowledge into the foundations. In years to come we hope that this tree bears fruit by providing creative ideas and incisive legal analyses that the sector needs. In this regard, the aim is for HBKU to be at the forefront.”

Dr. Solaiman was also recently invited to speak to the European Law Association and the Middle East Law Students Association at Harvard Law School about the Health Care Law course at HBKU. There was significant interest in Qatar, HBKU and the course with many questions being asked. It was an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of the University and the health sector in Qatar. The invitation also reflects the level of interest and growing prominence of HBKU and the programs it offers.