2nd Qatar Advancements in Pediatric Excellence (QAPEX 2026)

2nd Qatar Advancements in Pediatric Excellence (QAPEX 2026)
Registration Opening Soon
  • 4-5 December 2026
Target Audience
Event Type: In-person and Virtual Only for Non-Qatar Participants

Registration Fee:
  • • Physicians 400 QAR
  • • Clinicians in Training (Residents & Fellows) 300 QAR
  • • Nurses, Allied Health, pharmacists Professionals 250 QAR
  • • Virtual Attendance (Regional & International) Non-Qatar Participants 400 QAR

Overview

The 2nd Qatar Advancements in Pediatric Excellence (QAPEX 2026) will take place on 4–5 December 2026 in Doha, Qatar, under the theme “Shaping the Future of Child Health Through Innovation, Collaboration, and Excellence.” Organized by Sidra Medicine, QAPEX 2026 builds on the success of its inaugural edition in 2025 and reinforces its commitment to advancing pediatric healthcare across Qatar, the GCC, the wider Middle East, and beyond.

QAPEX 2026 will bring together leading pediatricians, healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, and healthcare leaders to exchange knowledge, explore emerging developments, and share innovative approaches to improving child health outcomes. The conference will provide a dynamic platform for meaningful dialogue, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional development.

The scientific program will feature more than 25 interactive presentations delivered by distinguished regional and international experts, alongside plenary lectures, expert panel discussions, interactive workshops, and focused breakout sessions. Participants will have opportunities to engage with current evidence, practical insights, and best practices across diverse areas of pediatric care.

Beyond scientific learning, QAPEX 2026 will foster professional networking and regional collaboration, connecting healthcare communities and institutions with a shared commitment to excellence in pediatric medicine.

We look forward to welcoming delegates to Doha for two days of inspiration, collaboration, knowledge exchange, and excellence, as we collectively contribute to shaping the future of child health.

Event Objectives

  • Apply current evidence-based pediatric knowledge and clinical guidelines to address common and emerging challenges in child healthcare and improve patient care.
  • Analyze pediatric clinical cases and healthcare practices to identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities for improving the quality and safety of child healthcare.
  • Evaluate current evidence, innovative approaches, and best practices in pediatrics to determine their relevance and applicability to local clinical practice.
  • Integrate knowledge and perspectives shared by regional and international experts to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, professional development, and knowledge exchange.
  • Develop at least one evidence-based, practical strategy or action plan that can be implemented within participants’ professional settings to address an identified pediatric healthcare need.
  • Demonstrate commitment to continuous learning, collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based practice by identifying specific opportunities to contribute to improved child health outcomes following the program.

Target Audience

  • Physicians
  • Nurses
  • Pharmacists
  • Allied Health Professionals
  • Students and trainers
  • Dentists

2nd Qatar Advancements in paediatrics excellence (2nd QAPEX 2026)

Day One: Friday, December 04, 2026

Time Session Title/Topic Session-Specific Learning Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
(30 min)
Registration & Welcome Coffee
Attendees arrive, register, and network.
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
(30 min)
The Management of Childhood Obesity
Speakers: Dr. Khalid Hussain
  1. Assess children and adolescents with obesity through a comprehensive clinical evaluation, including the identification of underlying causes, risk factors, and obesity-related complications.
  2. Discuss evidence-based approaches to lifestyle intervention, including nutritional management, physical activity recommendations, behavioral modification strategies, and family-centered care.
  3. Develop individualized, age-appropriate treatment plans that incorporate multidisciplinary management and address the unique medical, psychological, and social needs of children living with obesity.
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
(30 min)
Beyond the Bruise: Recognizing and Managing Abnormal Bleeding in Children
Speaker: Dr. Aymen Saleh
  1. Differentiate normal childhood bruising from abnormal bleeding patterns.
  2. Select appropriate initial investigations for suspected bleeding disorders.
  3. Develop a practical approach to initial management and hematology referral
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
( 30 min)
Syncope in Children and Adolescents: Evaluation and When to Refer
Speaker: Dr. Haytham Ibrahim 
 

  1. Differentiating benign vasovagal events from high-risk cardiac syncope.
  2. Identifying critical history and ECG red flags.
  3. Establishing clear triage and outpatient vs emergency referral pathways.
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
(30 min)
Pediatric Neuroimmunology: Recognizing the Unrecognized
Speaker: Dr. Mahmoud Fawzi
  1. Recognize key signs of pediatric neuroinflammatory disorders.
  2. Select appropriate initial diagnostic investigations.
  3. Review current and emerging treatment options.
11:00 AM – 11:10 AM Questions & Answers
Chair: Dr. Ahmed Al-Hammadi
Moderator: Dr. Mohamed Alkuwari
11:10 AM – 1:0 PM  Friday Prayer & Lunch Break
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM  Opening Ceremony
1:30 PM – 02:00 PM Growing Up in a Digital Ecosystem: Policy Guidance for Children and Adolescents
Speaker: Dr. Madeeha Kamal
  1. Promote children’s well-being and healthy use of digital technologies.
  2. Support digital literacy so children can use technology safely, responsibly, and confidently.
  3. Protect children’s rights and privacy in digital environments.
  4. Guide policymakers in developing laws, policies, and regulations that create safer digital spaces.
02:00 PM – 02:30 PM
(30 min)
Food Allergy In, Out: New Insights
Speaker: Dr. Eslam Elbaroudy
  1. Understand current evidence on complementary feeding and weaning — when and how to introduce allergenic foods in infancy.
  2. Discuss “earlier vs later” introduction of allergenic foods and the evidence supporting each approach.
  3. Identify practical strategies for safe and effective weaning, including the introduction of common food allergens.
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
(45 min)
Workshop1: Pediatric Skin Emergencies: From Recognition to Action
Speaker: Dr Aysha Almoosa
  1. Recognize common and potentially life-threatening dermatologic emergencies in children.
  2. Identify key clinical red flags that require urgent assessment and intervention.
  3. Differentiate serious skin conditions from common benign pediatric eruptions.
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
(45 min)
Workshop 2: Pediatric Imaging Pearls: Cases Every Clinician Should Recognize
Speaker: Dr. Khalid Walid Al-Dasuqi
  1. Interpret common pediatric imaging findings accurately.
  2. Recognize imaging features requiring urgent intervention.
  3. Apply imaging findings to decision-making.
04:00 PM – 4:15 PM
(15 min)
 Networking Coffee Break & Exhibition Visit
04:15 PM – 04:45 PM
(30 min)
Update on Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children
Speaker : Dr. Muslim Alsaid
  1. Identify Specific Risk Factors and Presentation
  2. Evaluate Updated Diagnostic Criteria and Screening Tools
  3. Tailor medical and surgical interventions to pediatric patient profile
04:45 PM – 05:15 PM
(30 min)
When to Refer? A Practical Guide to Common Pediatric Surgical Conditions
Speaker: Dr. Noora Al Shahwani
  1. Recognize common pediatric surgical conditions encountered in primary care.
  2. Identify clinical features warranting urgent surgical evaluation.
  3. Determine referral and counseling strategies.
05:15 PM – 5:45 PM
(30 min)
Gene Therapy in Qatar: Once a Dream, Now a Reality.
Speaker: Dr.Tawfeg Ben Omran
  1.  Review the current diagnostic approach for Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, including the role of genetic testing, early screening strategies, and emerging molecular diagnostic tools.
  2. Discuss the evolving therapeutic landscape of Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
  3. Explain the concept of precision medicine in Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
5:45:00 PM – 5:55 PM Questions & Answers
Dr. Madeeha Kamal
Moderator : Dr. Samar Magboul
6:00 PM   End of Day One 

2nd Qatar Advancements in paediatrics excellence (2nd QAPEX 2026)

Day Two: Saturday, December 05, 2026

Time Session Title/Topic Session-Specific Learning Objectives By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
07:30 AM – 08:00 AM Registration & Welcome Coffee
8:30 AM – 9: 15 AM
(45 min)
Workshop 3: The Growing Skeleton: What Is Normal and What Is Not?,
Speaker: Dr. Abdelsalam Hegazy
  1. Distinguish normal variants from pathologic musculoskeletal findings in children.
  2. Perform a focused assessment of common pediatric orthopedic conditions.
  3. Determine appropriate investigation and referral pathways.
9:15 AM – 10:00 AM
(45 min)
Workshop 4: Short Stature: Reading the Clues Beyond the Growth Chart
Speaker: Dr. Fawzia Alyafie & Dr sohair Elsiddig
  1. Interpret growth patterns to distinguish normal variants from pathological short stature.
  2. Identify clinical clues and red flags suggesting nutritional, systemic, genetic, psychosocial, or endocrine causes.
  3. Apply a structured, cost-conscious diagnostic approach to the child presenting with short stature.
10:-00 AM – 10:15 AM
(15 min)
Networking Coffee Break & Exhibition Visit
10:15 AM – 10:45AM
(30 min)
Congenital Infections 2026: New Evidence & Emerging Threats ,
Speaker: Dr. Aisha Alkhaaldi
  1. Identify the clinical manifestations of common congenital infections.
  2. Review recent advances in diagnosis and management of congenital infections.
  3. Implement evidence-based follow-up and family counseling strategies
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM
(30 min)
The Reassurance Formula: Practical Management of Pediatric Functional Abdominal Pain
Speaker: Dr. Khoula Al Said
  1. Diagnose functional abdominal pain using positive clinical criteria.
  2. Recognize red flags that suggest an organic cause
  3. Apply effective reassurance and behavioural management strategies.
11:15 AM – 11:45 PM
(30 min)
Abnormal Head Shapes in Children: Recognition and Evaluation
Speaker: Dr. Khalid Al-Kharazi
  1. Differentiate normal head shape variations from abnormal cranial deformities.
  2. Recognize clinical features suggestive of craniosynostosis and other significant cranial abnormalities.
  3. Select appropriate investigations and determine when specialist referral is indicated.
11:45 PM – 12:15 PM
(30 min)
Update on UTI Investigation in Children
Speaker: Dr. Entesar Al-Hammadi
  1. Review current evidence and guidelines.
  2. Select appropriate imaging investigations.
  3. Identify children requiring specialist referral.
12:15 PM – 12: 25 PM
(10 Min)
Questions & Answers
Dr. Ahmed Al-Hammadi
Moderator: Dr. Mohamed Alkuwari
12:25 PM – 1:00 PM  Lunch Break
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
(45 min)
Workshop 5: Navigating complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Autism Spectum Disorder
Speaker: Dr. Nahed Alateeqi
  1. Understanding the prevalence and motives behind families using CAM for neurodivergent disorders (NDDs)
  2. Evaluate Current evidence for and against various CAM in NDDs
  3. Develop effective and nonjudgmental counseling strategies for discussing CAM with families
1:45 PM – 02:30 PM
(45 min)
Workshop 6: Beyond Epilepsy: Common Mimics Every Pediatrician Should Know
Speakers: Dr. Nabil Almacki
  1. Recognize common epilepsy mimics.
  2. Differentiate epileptic from non-epileptic events.
  3. Select investigations and referral pathways.
02:30 PM – 02:45 PM
(15 min)
Networking Coffee Break & Exhibition Visit
02:45 PM – 3:15 PM
(30 min)
Beyond the Rash: Unmasking Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in the Outpatient Clinic
Speaker : Dr Sharon Bout-Tabaku
  1. Recognize the clinical features and red flags of Pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus.
  2. Select appropriate initial laboratory investigations for suspected Pediatric lupus.
  3. Identify patients requiring urgent rheumatology referral and multidisciplinary care.
3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
(30 min)
Beyond the Bladder: The Bowel’s Role in Pediatric Voiding Dysfunction
Speaker: Dr Santiago Andres Vallasciani and Dr. Samar Magboul
  1. Distinguish isolated enuresis from dysfunctional elimination syndromes.
  2. Assess underlying behavioral and physiological contributors.
  3. Implement urotherapy, timed voiding, and basic medical management plans
3:45 PM – 4:15 PM
(30 min)
Household Toxins & Accidental Poisonings in Children,
Speaker: Dr. Yazeed Eldos
  1. Manage acute accidental ingestions and household exposures safely.
  2. Identify toxic substances requiring immediate emergency department transport.
  3. Educate parents on domestic poison prevention strategies.
04:15 PM – 04:45 PM
(30 min)
Pediatric Year in Review 2026: What Will Change Your Practice?
Speaker: Dr. Ahmed Al-Hammadi
  1. Review key pediatric guidelines and studies.
  2. Apply important updates to practice.
  3. Identify the most impactful changes in pediatric care.
4:45 pm – 4:55 pm
(10 min)
Questions & Answers
Chair : Dr. Ahmed Al-Hammadi
Moderator : Dr Eman Al-Maslamani
04:55PM – 5:10 pm
(15 min)
End of Day 2

Awards, Appreciation & Closing Remarks | Conference Leadership

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