Qatar's healthcare sector places patient safety at the top of its priorities to provide an exemplary patient experience to the people of Qatar. 

This was highlighted at the 5th Qatar Patient Safety Week (QPSW) that was inaugurated yesterday by Her Excellency the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed Al-Kuwari.

Organized by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the QPSW is being marked across several hospitals and health centers in Qatar to highlight the importance of quality of health care provided to patients.

Yesterday, a special ceremony was organized by the Ministry to shine a spotlight on the initiatives it has taken to ensure patients receive the highest, safest quality of care in Qatar. 

The event coincided with the celebration of the first World Patient Safety Day (WPSD), approved by the World Health Organization this year to enhance global understanding and solidarity to improve patient safety. 

Minister of Public Health opens the 5th Qatar Patient Safety Week organized by the Ministry of Public Health, coinciding with the celebration of the first World Patient Safety Day. #QNA pic.twitter.com/sH9aANXhAm

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) September 17, 2019

“Our healthcare system has progressed dramatically in the past few years, and the implementation of the National Health Strategy 2018-2022 will make a remarkable difference to Qatar’s health journey," Dr Al-Kuwari said while speaking at the ceremony.

"Patient safety has been identified as one of the pillars that guide the process of strategy development and implementation," she added.

In May 2019, the WHO endorsed the establishment of World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) to be observed annually on September 17, she said.

As part of Qatar’s commitments to the Global Action on Patient Safety, the minister said this year Qatar Patient Safety Week will be joining hands with the WPSD celebrations adopting its slogan “Speak up for Patient Safety!”

“Fear of speaking up is a persistent challenge that needs to be addressed in our collective efforts to reduce patient harm. [The] silence between patients and healthcare providers, between healthcare professionals working within the same facility, or between public and governing bodies can inadvertently lead to inevitable harm," she underlined. 

It is important to acknowledge everyone’s role in bringing issues to light as soon as they are identified and acting proactively to mitigate risk, the minister added.

“Speaking up is only attained if the organizations have a well-established safety culture. It can only be achieved when everyone, from the cleaning staff to the CEO of the organization, from the patients receiving care to their family members, feel comfortable and encouraged to voice their concerns," Dr Al Kuwari pointed out.

She further said, "This national campaign will provide a platform to encourage and empower the healthcare actors to explore ways to actively contribute to delivering safer care."

After the official opening of the 5th QPSW and the accompanying scientific conference, Dr Al-Kuwari toured the exhibition hall, which also hosts a pavilion of the MoPH, stalls of other health institutions and a poster exhibition.

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Cover Image Credit and Source: QNA