Dr. Al Mannai in his opening address framed the conference as a testament to the nation’s shared commitment to strengthening quality and safety across the entire healthcare system. He emphasized that this collective effort is fundamental to achieving national health strategies and improving community well-being. “The participation of this distinguished group underscores our shared responsibility and unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest standards,” he stated, highlighting the vital collaboration needed from policymakers, healthcare professionals, and patients and their families.

Dr. Al Mannai elaborated that this year’s theme reflects a holistic, all-encompassing approach to improving healthcare. This strategy focuses on innovation and leveraging cutting-edge technology to secure better health outcomes for all. He noted that the sustained momentum of QPSW since its 2014 inception demonstrates a lasting, multi-stakeholder dedication to excellence in safe, high-quality care.

The Ministry’s dedication was further detailed through its work in developing national policies aligned with international best practices. These efforts encompass critical areas like medication safety, medical error reporting, and infection prevention. A key national initiative led by the MoPH is the comprehensive plan to combat antimicrobial resistance, supported by widespread awareness campaigns and specialized training programs.

The conference aims to foster a robust national culture of healthcare quality and safety. Its objectives include encouraging high-level dialogue to shape new policies, raising awareness, strengthening communication between patients and providers, and facilitating the exchange of global best practices. It also serves as a platform to address current challenges, propose innovative solutions, and promote scientific research in the field.

The event’s first keynote was delivered by Professor Jason Leitch, a Senior Fellow from the US-based Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), who commended Qatar’s healthcare system as a “world-leading” example. He outlined four essential transformations for building resilient health systems: digital advancement, community health, workforce education, and fostering compassion in care delivery.

Through workshops and specialized sessions, the conference is exploring pivotal themes, including systemic quality development, leadership governance, patient partnerships, digital innovation, and learning from incidents for continuous improvement. A significant portion of the agenda is also dedicated to discussing healthcare challenges in fragile and conflict-affected environments, reflecting Qatar’s commitment to addressing pressing global health issues.

As an annual national event, Patient Safety Week underscores Qatar’s enduring mission to promote quality and safety among healthcare professionals and the public, ensuring sustainable collaboration for ever-safer healthcare across the nation.