As a leader of sports medicine, concluded 2024 with a resounding success. Aspetar achieved significant milestones, solidifying its position as the first and leading destination for sports medicine tourism in the region. This was driven by a surge in international patient volume, attracted by Aspetar's renowned expertise, advanced treatments, and state-of-the-art facilities. Aspetar's commitment to excellence extended beyond patient care, encompassing groundbreaking research, the organization of influential international conferences, and active knowledge-sharing initiatives that have significantly advanced the field of sports medicine worldwide.

Remarkable Achievements Aspetar has once again demonstrated its commitment to excellence by achieving 100% compliance with all applicable criteria and safety practices for the second consecutive time. This outstanding performance has earned Aspetar the prestigious Diamond-level accreditation from Accreditation Canada International (ACI). Aspetar is the first and only medical institution in the world to achieve this distinction, out of over 40,000 hospitals and clinics globally. The hospital met all 1,170 criteria and 35 Required Organizational Practices, showcasing its dedication to maintaining the highest standards in healthcare.

This repeated achievement underscores Aspetar’s ongoing commitment to delivering outstanding results and continuously improving its services. It reaffirms the hospital’s direction in pursuing its vision to be a global reference center in sports medicine.

In addition to this, Aspetar has also been granted Initial Accreditation as a Sponsoring Institution by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education International (ACGME-I). This accreditation, highlights Aspetar’s role in advancing medical education and training, further solidifying its position as a leader in the field of sports medicine.

Aspetar Praised by FIFA’s Medical Director Dr. Andy Massey, FIFA’s Medical Director, recently praised Aspetar hospital on his Twitter account following his visit to review preparations for the Intercontinental Cup in Qatar.

Medical preparations for the Intercontinental Cup in Qatar are always a learning experience,” he tweeted. “Visiting Aspetar hospital is no exception. This facility is home to some of the best medical experts globally.

Dr. Massey highlighted the expertise of Aspetar’s Local Organizing Committee, noting their extensive knowledge of medical services for major sporting events. His commendation underscores Aspetar’s role as a leader in sports medicine, ensuring top-tier care for athletes.

Aspetar Sets Global Guidelines for Youth Football Cardiac Screening

At the beginning of this year, Aspetar played a pivotal role in developing global guidelines for youth football cardiac screening. During a historic meeting held at FIFA headquarters on January 15-16, 2024, a significant step was taken towards protecting the health of young athletes. Renowned sports cardiologists, led by Aspetar expert Professor Guido Baenziger, gathered to discuss cardiac issues in young athletes and establish unified guidelines for cardiac screening of football players aged 12-18.

These guidelines are set to be a game-changer, significantly contributing to the health and safety of young football players worldwide. This participation reflects the active role of Aspetar experts in advancing the field of sports cardiology. Their expertise and leadership will provide young athletes around the world with the confidence to pursue their dreams and play their favorite sport with peace of mind about their health and safety.

Aspetar’s Expertise Shines at Paris 2024 Olympics Qatar’s leading orthopedic and sports medicine hospital, Aspetar, played a pivotal role in the recently concluded Olympic Games in Paris. Aspetar’s extensive experience in addressing the unique challenges posed by multi-sport events, particularly the potential risks associated with heat and infection, was invaluable. These challenges were extensively researched and addressed in Aspetar’s scientific studies and treatment protocols. Aspetar further contributed to the Games by providing medical expertise, with Dr. Roald Bahr, Director of Aspetar’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program, leading a group of experts for the International Olympic Committee in Paris.

The organizers of the Paris Olympics drew on lessons learned from previous events held in hot climates, such as the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Building on Aspetar’s expertise in developing effective heat mitigation strategies, experts focused on the importance of athlete acclimatization, hydration, and health education to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses and injuries. Aspetar’s research and clinical experience in managing heat-related illnesses played a fundamental role in these preparations. The International Olympic Committee and the organizers of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games benefited greatly from Aspetar's expertise in this area.

Comprehensive Medical Support for Qatari Athletes Aspetar has distinguished itself by providing comprehensive medical care to Qatari athletes of all ages and specialties. Through Qatar's National Sports Medicine Program, a unique global initiative, Aspetar oversees all aspects of athletes' medical care. This includes providing highly qualified medical teams, state-of-the-art facilities, and unlimited support to athletes representing Qatar in international competitions, as well as those registered in various sports within Qatar.

Aspetar offers preventive and curative care simultaneously to a wide range of athletes. During the Paris Olympics, Aspetar provided preventive care to the Qatari delegation, including comprehensive medical examinations, vaccinations, and the provision of necessary medical equipment and medications.

Moreover, Aspetar offers exceptional medical services to Qatari delegations participating in international competitions. These services encompass comprehensive medical examinations, preventive vaccinations, and the provision of all necessary medical equipment and medications. This comprehensive approach ensures that Qatari athletes are well-prepared and supported throughout their competitions.

Groundbreaking Research and Global Partnerships Aspetar continues to excel in scientific research, conducting unique studies aimed at promoting safe and healthy sports practices that benefit the global sports community.Pioneering Research This year, Aspetar released the results of an extensive study, the first of its kind globally, on injury patterns among professional football players in the Qatar Stars League. The eight-season study (2014/2015 to 2021/2022) provides valuable insights into injury rates, trends, and their impact in Qatari football.

The study revealed a total of 4,789 injuries among players. It demonstrated that players were more susceptible to injuries during matches than training sessions. The study also identified the time lost due to injuries, with hamstring injuries being the most common and ACL tears resulting in the longest recovery periods.

Aspetar has published numerous research papers and studies that have garnered significant international attention, including treatment protocols for ACL injuries and hamstring injuries, as well as studies on concussions. Ongoing research covers various aspects of sports medicine.

Aspetar's Vision Reflected in Scientific and Athletic Partnerships Aspetar, continues to expand its influence through strategic partnerships with prestigious athletic organizations and academic institutions. These collaborations underscore Aspetar's commitment to excellence in sports medicine and scientific research, reflecting its vision of being a global leader in the field.

In the realm of sports, Aspetar maintains its role as a key medical partner for several renowned teams and organizations. The hospital's longstanding partnership with the Algerian Football Federation, now in its 15th consecutive year, allows Algerian national team players to benefit from Aspetar's exceptional sports medicine services. Stars like Ismail Bennacer and Bechir Beloumi have utilized Aspetar's expertise, highlighting the value of this collaboration.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), one of Europe's most prestigious football clubs, has recently announced the extension of its partnership with Aspetar for two additional seasons. This renewal builds on over a decade of collaboration, reaffirming both institutions' shared commitment to achieving excellence in athlete healthcare and well-being. The extended partnership allows PSG players to continue benefiting from comprehensive healthcare, including medical examinations, assessments, and personalized care, all delivered by Aspetar's experts according to the highest international standards

On the scientific front, Aspetar continues to expand its academic network. A notable addition is the recent partnership with the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). This pioneering collaboration aims to enhance sports medicine and innovation, focusing on increasing productivity, providing training, exchanging expertise, and sharing knowledge in academic and research fields of sports medicine. The partnership also emphasizes the development of comprehensive training programs to equip health professionals with the latest skills and knowledge in sports medicine, ensuring they are prepared to meet the evolving challenges and requirements of the field.

A Global Sports Destination As the preferred destination for elite athletes and football players, Aspetar has welcomed a significant number of football stars from various European and global leagues this year. Notably, players from the English Premier League constituted the largest group seeking Aspetar's advanced medical and scientific support.

Among the prominent players who benefited from Aspetar's services are Callum Wilson of the England  and Newcastle United, Noah Lang, top scorer for the Dutch national team and PSV Eindhoven, Ismaël Bennacer of the Algerian national team and AC Milan, Slovakian player and Paris Saint-Germain star, Skriniar, Lucas Hernandez, Portuguese player Gonçalo Ramos, Marseille and Cameroonian national team player, Faris Mbombo, Tunisian Montassar Talbi of Lorient, Stuttgart's French player Zagadu, and Albert Lokonga, on loan from Arsenal to Sevilla.

In other sports, Aspetar has also attracted numerous sports stars, including judo world champion Davlat Bobonov from Uzbekistan, Bosnian swimmer Lana Pudar, Algerian Olympic champion Kylia Nemour, and Algerian athletics champion Jamal Sedjati. Additionally, a host of Olympic champions, elite Australian football players, and athletes from various sports such as rugby and basketball have sought treatment at Aspetar.

The Premier Destination for Medical Tourism in the Region Aspetar has not merely provided treatment; it has pioneered the concept of medical tourism in the region, becoming the first choice for those seeking optimal treatment using scientific methods that combine therapy with the enjoyment of tourism. It has attracted hundreds of athletes from around the world, demonstrating that medical tourism offers a superior option for healthcare while maintaining the same quality. Aspetar's combination of modern facilities, advanced technology, and the expertise of its medical staff has led to the development of unique treatment protocols that have driven sports stars to prefer Aspetar as a reliable source for medical treatment and advice.

Aspetar has received hundreds of athletes from various sports and specialties worldwide by facilitating immediate access to comprehensive healthcare services under one roof, from medical consultations and diagnosis to surgery, rehabilitation, and treatment. The use of sports science and advanced technologies contributes to the safe return of athletes and the development of preventive programs to avoid injuries and other programs to improve performance, which sets Aspetar apart as a leading global sports hospital.

A Global Gathering of Experts In 2024, Aspetar shared its expertise and knowledge with global physicians and experts by organizing a unique scientific conference at Khalifa Stadium on rehabilitation, with the participation of over 700 experts and participants from more than 90 countries. This established Aspetar as a benchmark for attracting sports medicine and rehabilitation experts to benefit from its expertise.

Building on these successes, Aspetar plans to organize one of the world's largest sports medicine conferences next October, preceded by a series of conferences in the field of radiology. Additionally, a second edition of the scientific conference will be held on the sidelines of the upcoming Table Tennis World Championship in May 2025.

About Aspetar:

Aspetar is a world-leading specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital and the first of its kind in the Middle East. Since 2007, with a world expert team, the hospital has provided top-level comprehensive medical treatment to all athletes in a state-of-the-art facility that sets new standards internationally.

In 2009, Aspetar was accredited as a “FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence” by F-MARC. In 2013, Aspetar was adopted as a reference collaborator centre by the Gulf Countries Council (GCC) Health Ministers Council and “The IOC Research Centre for Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health” in 2014.

In 2015, Aspetar has been recognised as the “IHF Reference Centre for Athlete and Referee Health”. In the same year, the hospital also achieved obtained-on December 15 the Accreditation Canada International (ACI) “Platinum Level”.

Aspetar is a member–organisation of Aspire Zone Foundation, Qatar’s innovative sports and healthy lifestyle destination.