Doha: The Medical Affairs Division of the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has achieved the diamond level of Accreditation Canada accreditation after successfully finalizing the survey at the four Workers' Health Centers it manages and operates in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). This achievement marks an upgrade from the platinum level it obtained in 2023 to the highest level of accreditation.
According to Qatar News Agency, this milestone crowns a three-year journey of implementing institutional quality and safety standards, verifying compliance with evidence-based practices and policies, standardizing procedures, and engaging patients and staff in designing healthcare services. Acting Secretary-General of QRCS, Abdullah Sultan Al Qatan, stated that obtaining the diamond level reflects QRCS's commitment to excellence, quality, and operational discipline. This accreditation confirms the efficiency of the Medical Affairs Division in delivering healthcare services based on the highest international standards.
This accreditation enhances confidence and credibility among state institutions, Al Qatan pointed out, noting that the partnership with MOPH in managing and operating Workers' Health Centers has spanned nearly 16 years, during which QRCS has demonstrated efficiency in providing primary healthcare services to expatriate workers. Dr. Mohamed Fawzi Al Abiad, Assistant Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Medical Affairs Division, highlighted that achieving this level requires fulfilling all requirements of the gold and platinum levels. It also involves reaching an advanced level in quality, patient safety, and institutional excellence standards while applying the best international practices in healthcare delivery.
He pointed out that the assessment was based on nine standards covering governance, leadership, infection prevention and control, medication management, service excellence, primary healthcare services, medical laboratories, diagnostic imaging, and dental services. Al Abiad further noted that the Division also completed the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) survey on patient safety culture, reviewed during the evaluation team's visit.
Head of Quality Monitoring at the Division, Joanna Marie Alfaro, affirmed that this milestone was made possible by combining leadership, teamwork, and technical and clinical competence, stressing that work will continue to maintain this level and further enhance the patient experience. The Accreditation Canada team commended the consistency of the operating system among the four Workers' Health Centers and the low turnover rate among medical staff, which strengthens continuity of care. They also praised the presence of patient advisory committees that contribute to developing care plans and health education materials in multiple languages.
In partnership with MOPH, QRCS operates four Workers' Health Centers in Al Hemaila, Mesaimeer, Fereej Abdul Aziz, and Zekreet, providing services across more than 20 specialties, including round-the-clock services. These centers received around 1,460,696 visitors in 2025 and 823,362 visitors during the first half of 2026. The average patient experience rating stands at 90%, while 99% of patients receive comprehensive health screenings and follow-up care plans, and 100% of dental patients receive comprehensive treatment plans.
The Division provided around 208 training courses in 2025 as part of continuing professional development programs after obtaining accreditation from MOPH as an approved provider for this kind of program. Accreditation Canada is an independent non-profit organization that has worked for more than six decades to assess healthcare organizations according to evidence-based standards, and its international program is considered one of the world's leading healthcare accreditation programs.