By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: Primary healthcare in Qatar needs to further improve its services and performances to obtain an international recognition, said an official attached to an international body which provides accreditation for Primary Health Care Corporation.
The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) is seeking to have an international accreditation from the prestigious Accreditation Canada International in line with the National Development Strategy 2030, aimed at providing primary healthcare of the highest quality to people here.
Accreditation Canada International promotes primary healthcare accreditation and quality improvement around the world.
“We have been collaborating with the Primary Health Care Corporation for the past few years, said Sebastien Audette, Chief Executive Officer, Accreditation Canada International, on the sidelines of an international conference on healthcare quality and patient safety being held at the Ritz-Carlton, Doha.
“But it requires more efforts to increase the quality of care (healthcare services), that’s what they (Primary Health Care Corporation) are doing and they are in the accreditation process,” Audette said.
He refused to comment when asked whether he was optimistic about PHCC getting the accreditation.
He also said that the PHCC should set its time frame to obtain the accreditation.
“It is up to them to set up their time frame, we are supporting them through the journey,” Audette he said.
Accreditation Canada International looks into several issues such as safety of patients, access to services, whether employees feel valued of work and not feel over-worked because it will help minimise errors.
Accreditation Canada International will also look into whether the primary healthcare system has got enough healthcare professionals for diseases which have high prevalence.
“Providing accreditation has different levels and each criterian has its own priorities. Step by step we approach priorities,” said Audette.
“Change does not happen overnight; change takes time, and we recognise that. Have to change genuinely, so it’s sustainable and it will not end with accreditation,” he added.
The Peninsula
