By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: Experts gathered in Doha to find ways of improving quality and safety of healthcare systems, at a conference, in the presence of H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser yesterday.
The 32nd Conference of International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua) at Qatar National Convention Centre aims to identify major trends in healthcare safety and quality.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, in his opening speech, stressed the importance of the three-day event as one of the most remarkable on the quality of healthcare.
Highlighting Qatar’s steps to ensure healthcare safety and quality, he said, “Qatar believes in the importance of quality in the healthcare sector, thus, we have been keen to make quality the main base in our health system development process.
“Through the National Health Strategy, we are working to create an effective regulatory framework to ensure the quality of healthcare and patient safety.
“Important national projects have been implemented, most notably the development of a regulatory framework for licensing health practitioners. Qatari Council for Healthcare Practitioners was established to regulate work of health practitioners,” he said.
“The conference, with the participation of this elite group of healthcare leaders and experts from around the world, and topics that will be discussed, would enrich distinctive experiences in improving healthcare quality and finding innovative solutions to challenges in the field,” the Premier said.
Minister of Public Health H E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani and Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, Managing Director, Hamad Medical Corporation, and other dignitaries were present.
More than 700 healthcare professionals and researchers are taking part to share expertise and discuss opportunities presented by innovations related to medical care assessment, licensing and programme accreditation.
ISQua was set up in 1984 to inspire, promote and support continuous improvement in healthcare safety and quality worldwide.
Since 1996, this the first ISQua conference in the Gulf, according to David Bates, President, ISQua.
ISQua is considered an essential resource for policymakers, patient safety agencies, healthcare workers and other health professionals.
Professor Lord Darzi of Denham, Executive Chair of World Innovation Summit for Education, delivered keynote speech on ‘Innovation in Patient Safety’ during the opening session.
He stressed that patient involvement should be a core part of quality and safety of healthcare systems. “Patients are able to identify safety indications,” he added.
An exhibition and poster presentation is being held on the sidelines. The Peninsula
