Qatar is considered the first country in the region to receive such accreditation outside the United States. This accreditation comes as a confirmation that public health principles and guidelines in Qatar are implemented according to the best international standards.
In his opening speech, Sheikh Dr. Mohamed Al Thani, Public Health Director, stated: “Success requires a lot of hard work along with support. We have used both to achieve the Accreditation for our Public Health services in Qatar and finally, MOPH is accredited for 5 years by the “Public Health Accreditation Board PHAB, in USA”. Our commitment to be accredited will not end after the decision of the Board on 18 August 2022. It is for the long term. We are determined to make the Accreditation requirements an integral part of our day-to-day work.”
“In its approach to "Public Health”, MOPH relies on a common vision with all key partners from the health and non-health sectors to ensure health and wellness for all of us in all the communities where we and our children are born and live, where we grow up, we play, we learn and study, we work, and we have access to transportation and to healthcare services. Therefore, MOPH is using interventions to prevent disease, protect and promote health such as health education to help individuals protect their own health and the health of their families,” added Sheikh Dr. Al Thani.
Dr. Mariam Alabdulmalik, the Managing Director of PHCC, who joined online, said, “It is a source of pride for Primary Health Care Corporation to have been part of the team supporting MOPH to achieve the PHAB international accreditation of public health services in the State of Qatar. This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to working in close partnership across the health sector to deliver high quality health care services in Qatar. It is a demonstration of the national initiative to enhance the quality of care and the process in healthcare in Qatar and stands testament to the patient-centric approach that our services uphold.”
Dr. Mounir Soussi, the Accreditation Coordinator, said: “Since the beginning of our accreditation journey, the process has enhanced public health preparedness in Qatar, especially as we are preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2022, by building and improving the capabilities and overall capacity of MOPH, improving the quality efforts, using evidence and data to drive decisions, and enhancing credibility among all stakeholders.”
The ceremony was attended by invitees from MOPH, Hamad Medical Corporation, PHCC, Qatar University, Weill Cornell Medical College, Qatar Diabetes Association, Qatar Cancer Society, and members of the “Family Health Advisory Taskforce” that represent the public.