Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) Communicable Disease Center (CDC), which has been at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19, has been awarded Gold Certification for Excellence in Person-Centered Care by Planetree International. It is the first infectious disease facility in the world to achieve this prestigious recognition for its work.


Nasser Al Naimi


Deputy Chief of Quality, Center for Patient Experience and Staff Engagement and Director for the Hamad Healthcare Quality Institute Nasser Al Naimi said "the Gold level Planetree Certification is a truly remarkable achievement by CDC. The entire country has witnessed how they have delivered services to their best ability during the ongoing pandemic. The certification is only a testimony of that hard work. What is more commendable about this achievement is that CDC held on to the principle of Person-Centered Care even when dealing with a global crisis".

Medical Director of the Communicable Disease Center Muna Al Maslamani said "the staff have always prioritized patient experience and customizing the service for each patient, depending on their needs."


Muna Al Maslamani


"Covid-19 challenged us in so many ways and impacted how we delivered care," she said, adding "To have our work at the CDC recognized by Planetree International demonstrates that person-centered care can be delivered in any circumstance."

Susan Frampton, President of Planetree International, commended the CDC on their achievement, and said "This Gold Certification demonstrates that Hamad Medical Corporations Communicable Disease Center is a healthcare facility where staff partner with patients and families, and where patient and family comfort, dignity, empowerment and well-being are prioritized as key elements of providing top-quality clinical care."

Frampton added "At the heart of person-centered care is the concept that the patient, their family members, and the care provider are partners in the healthcare process. The team at the Communicable Disease Center have demonstrated their commitment to involving patients, family members and staff at every step of the way and they should be proud of this achievement, especially amidst a global pandemic."

Planetree International is a not-for-profit organization that partners with healthcare organizations worldwide to transform how patient care is delivered. Its Gold Certification represents the highest level of achievement in person-centered care, based on evidence and standards.

The team at the CDC underwent a rigorous virtual evaluation by the Planetree team in 2021 to achieve the Certification. There are currently 180 organizations worldwide that have completed Planetree Certification, of which 94 sites are Gold certified. The CDC is one of five HMC pilot sites in Qatar to achieve certification. Other HMC sites to receive this certification are Home Healthcare Service, the Private Nursing Service, the Ambulatory Care Center, and the Enaya Specialized Care Center.
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