The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) recently organised the 6th Virtual Regional Conference of Best Practices in the presence of local and regional healthcare quality experts and leaders. More than 270 medical and technical staff from different public and private health authorities participated in the virtual conference. Represented by the Clinical Quality and Health Accreditation Department in the Hospitals Sector, the MoHAP organised the conference with the aim of exchanging best practices and international experiences in the area of healthcare quality and patient safety. The conference also sought to highlight the best ways to engage patients and their families in designing healthcare policies, initiatives and systems for the greater good of the community.

The conference was opened by Dr.Youssif Al Serkal, Director-General of the Emirates Health Services Corporation, in the presence of Dr. Zakaria Al-Attal, Director of Clinical Quality and Health Accreditation Department and other department directors as well as representatives from the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Dubai Healthcare City Authority, and private sector hospitals.

Global experts from various internationally accredited hospitals in the Middle East participated in the conference as they discussed a wide range of topics. Participants also discussed research studies and working papers on various topics, ranging from improvements in clinical quality standards, lessons learned from COVID-19 pandemic for quality and patient safety and challenges faced in providing remote healthcare services to cybersecurity, privacy and information security. They also talked about the best practices in mobilising a multi-disciplinary and well-rounded health approach and innovations in the field of healthcare with the aim of strengthening the quality of health services in the country.

Addressing the participants, Dr.Youssif Al Serkal stated that the conference has become a crucial regional platform where experts can exchange knowledge, best practices, and local and regional experiences with the aim of improving the healthcare quality and safety of patients.

He added that the conference has organised as part of the vision of the Ministry of Health and Prevention aimed at strengthening the standards of institutional and medical governance and develop the overall healthcare sector. The Ministry also seeks to boost its sustainability in health settings in a bid to maintain the highest international quality standards necessary.

"It’s also part of the Ministry’s painstaking efforts to improve the outcomes of the national indicator pertinent to the percentage of health facilities that meet the international accreditation standards, in accordance with the goals of the National Agenda 2021 and the UAE Centennial 2071," Dr. Al Serkal noted.

He further pointed out the MoHAP has given special significance to improving the quality of healthcare services and their effectiveness in enhancing patients' safety. He affirmed that the Ministry will continue to take steps to upgrade the country's medical policies, protocols and procedures as well as the application of best practices, in accordance with international accreditation standards.

"Such efforts wouldn’t be possible without the synergy of our medical, administrative and technical staff to bring happiness to our patients and customers and to boost the confidence of the local and global community in the efficiency of our health institutions," Dr. Al Serkal added.

Dr. Zakaria Al-Attal stated that the goal of the Ministry is to exchange knowledge, expertise and experiences with the aim of enhancing quality practices in the healthcare sector, combatting the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and to determine factors necessary for health care providers to comply with international standards.

WAM