Qatar's private hospitals must have international recognition within four years

Doha: All private hospitals in Qatar must be accredited by an internationally-recognised body within the next four years, according to a new rule framed by the Board of Directors of the country's Supreme Council of Health (SCH).

Kamal Khanji, director of the SCH's Medical Licensing Department, said the private sector must obtain an international accreditation which will be in use until Qatar's National Accreditation Standards (NAS) are available.

"We will request all private hospitals to achieve accreditation within the next four years because developing our own standards will be easier when they are all already accredited by recognised bodies internationally, such as the International Society for Quality," Khanji told Qatari daily, Gulf Times.

"The programme would help all hospitals in the country to raise their standards. We are very excited about it. Of course, it will require a lot of effort but it will improve the healthcare sector significantly and change the face of health services in the country."

The private sector will be provided with information and lists to guide them in choosing well-known international accreditors. Being accredited will increase their value for visitors from around the world and help Qatar achieve its planned status as the region's health tourism hub, Khanji said.

On plans to phase out independent clinics run by general practitioners (GP), Khanji said the council was revising its decision by encouraging the GPs to further their careers through continuous medical education.

"We are reviewing the decision by helping the GPs without continuous medical education after their bachelors' degrees to advance their knowledge. For instance, those who seek higher certificates and qualifications are being given the chance to do so. Some have up-scaled already," he said.

Khanji said the whole idea of phasing out these clinics was having a "very positive impact" within the healthcare community as it had caused a stir in the sector. Those lagging behind were seeking to brush up their knowledge and update themselves.

"Previously, the GPs were suitable for the country when we had very limited resources and facilities, limited specialised professionals and limited advanced capabilities. But now, of course, with the development and fast growth in the private sector, we need to improve their capabilities," Khanji said.

"Although, there was a big debate about the whole idea and many people hold different opinions, we all have the same aim of improving healthcare in Qatar, as well as ensuring the safety of patients. So we completely respect any opinion in this regard," he was quoted as saying.

There were a total of 32 GP-run clinics in the country, of which 26 are still active, he said.

"Some were closed because, unfortunately, there were problems associated with these clinics - such as issuing fake sick leave certificates, which is a serious violation of the law and the ethics of the profession. Such conduct betrays the trust reposed in the medical profession and its nobility," Khanji said.

Some others were closed down because of violations caused by the GPs' lack of knowledge or experience, he said.

Nearly 100 new health facilities were licensed in Qatar last year and of the 1,700 applicants who sat the qualifying examinations, 800 new practitioners were licensed in 2009-2010.