Doha, Qatar: Qatar Reads, a national initiative under Qatar National Library dedicated to fostering a culture of reading across the country, has announced the launch of a new research-driven initiative under its “Parents-to-Be” Programme, in collaboration with the Women’s Wellness and Research Center (WWRC) at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), and with Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) as the research partner.
The collaboration brings together institutions with complementary expertise across literacy, healthcare, and research. As the largest tertiary hospital in the region dedicated to women’s health, the WWRC plays a central role in delivering compassionate, specialised care while advancing clinical research to improve outcomes for women and newborns in Qatar.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation, contributes its research leadership as a university committed to driving transformative impact locally and globally.
At the heart of the programme is the Parents-to-Be kit, a curated reading package developed by the Qatar Reads team to support expectant mothers throughout pregnancy and the early stages of their child’s life. Carefully selected by expert librarians, the kit includes books for both parents and newborns, designed to nurture emotional connection, encourage early learning, and instill a love of reading that begins even before birth.
The programme is aimed at pregnant women in their third trimester visiting the Women’s Wellness and Research Center in Qatar. The kits are offered in both Arabic and English, ensuring accessibility to broad segments of the community. Participants are invited to complete an initial survey, after which selected mothers receive the kit directly at their homes.
Manager of Qatar Reads, Fatema Al Malki said:“Through the Parents-to-Be Programme, we are extending the impact of reading to one of the most formative stages of life. This initiative reflects our belief that the foundations of literacy and emotional connection begin early, even before a child is born. By equipping parents with thoughtfully curated resources, we aim to support meaningful bonding experiences and establish reading as a natural part of family life from the very beginning.”
Assistant Professor from Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Dr. Hira Amin added:“This collaboration represents an important step in bridging research and community-based initiatives. By studying the impact of early literacy interventions at such a critical stage, we aim to contribute valuable insights that can shape future educational and developmental programmes in Qatar and beyond.”
Chief of Patient Experience at Hamad Medical Corporation and Director of Hamad Healthcare Quality Institute, Nasser Al Naimi said:”True healthcare excellence is rooted in the patient’s voice. This initiative will strengthen our antenatal pathway, further advancing our person-centred approach.
