• 9/25/2024

    Doha, Qatar 25 September 2024 — From Tuesday 10 to Thursday 12 September, Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Qatar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI) hosted a workshop to launch its pioneering initiative of a WHO (World Health Organization)-supported Rehabilitation Data System (RDS).

    The Rehabilitation Data System (RDS) is a data-driven decision-making platform for rehabilitation that aligns with national-level data collection, providing healthcare professionals with real-time insights for the personalized care of each patient. This provides the right therapy to the right people at the right time, with the correct dosage and duration, while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety and recovery.

    The event brought together experts from both public and private sectors, including representatives from HMC, PHCC, The View Hospital, Al Emadi Hospital and Al Ahli Hospital. The workshop fostered collaboration across all domains of rehabilitation in Qatar, laying the groundwork for a united effort in transforming healthcare delivery.

    The workshop identified nine key rehabilitation indicators to be routinely reported to the WHO, forming the backbone of a Routine Health Information Systems (RHIS) rehabilitation module that will be integrated into the RDS. These indicators will ensure that rehabilitation services across the country are continuously optimized.

    Leading this transformation is Dr Hanadi Al Hamad, Deputy Chief of Rehabilitation, Long Term Care and Geriatric Services at HMC. Her visionary leadership has been pivotal in this collaboration with WHO. Dr. Hanadi stated, “This new data system marks a turning point for rehabilitation services in Qatar. By integrating WHO’s RHIS rehabilitation module, we are creating a system that not only tracks rehabilitation progress but also directly improves patient outcomes. It ensures our services are more accessible, effective and patient-centered, aligning with the National Health Strategy 2024 to 2030 and reinforcing Qatar’s leadership in global healthcare.”

    Dr. Wouter De Groote, WHO Rehabilitation Programs resource person, remarked, “Rehabilitation is no longer a luxury—it’s essential. By adopting standardized rehabilitation indicators, Qatar will better understand and address the unmet needs of its population. This system is a game-changer and will serve as an inspiration for other nations in the region.”

    Dr. Rayana Bou Haka, WHO Qatar Representative, commended the initiative, adding, “This is one of the first of its kind in the Middle East and EMRO region. It represents a significant step in aligning Qatar’s rehabilitation services with WHO global standards, ensuring that healthcare decisions are grounded in reliable data, ultimately enhancing health outcomes. WHO is proud to support this visionary step.”

    Dr. Ajimsha Mohammed Sharafudeen MS, Director of Rehabilitation at QRI, highlighted the lasting impact of the initiative, saying, “This collaboration with WHO marks a milestone in how we approach rehabilitation. Having precise, real-time data is critical for achieving excellence in clinical care, research, and education. This system not only supports Qatar’s Vision 2030 but also elevates us as a regional leader in healthcare innovation.”

    Participants in the workshop expressed strong support for the initiative. One attendee noted that the system positions Qatar as a leader in data-driven rehabilitation and that the workshop provided a valuable opportunity to align efforts and secure the future success of rehabilitation services in the country.