sector for its response to the (Covid-19) pandemic
The Arab Hospital Federation launched the “Golden Initiative” certificate in the health sector for its response to the (Covid-19) pandemic in light of the emerging corona virus epidemic crisis. "Arab Hospital" magazine met with Professor Tawfiq Khoja, Secretary General of the Arab Hospitals Federation and Chairman of the Executive Council of Illumination, on this initiative and its importance to the health sector.
We would like to start highlighting this initiative in terms of importance for the health sector? What are the desired goals?
In light of the emerging Corona virus (COVID-19) epidemic crisis, the Arab Hospital Federation launched a certificate and the “Golden Initiative” award to build confidence in the health sector and to appreciate the efforts and procedures of health institutions'' response to this pandemic that were present to face this challenge and were distinguished by patient service, in cooperation with ministries Arab Health, the Regional Office of the World Health Organization, Health Policy Forum in the Middle East and North Africa, the Association of Private Hospitals in Jordan, Hamad Medical Corporation and other health organizations, in addition to the media partnership with the magazine “Arab Hospital”.
As for the objectives behind this initiative, it was to stimulate the Arab health sector to face the difficulties caused by this epidemic. Health institutions and the entire health sector have professionally faced the challenge despite all the difficult circumstances and secrets that this epidemic has hidden, and they have provided a distinguished performance and they deserve the Union to give them appreciation because they have gone through the experience of responding remarkably and have put in place distinct and innovative organizational procedures in the face of the pandemic (COVID-19) In her region or her country. The true essence of the Gold Initiative, its goals and values is much more than just an award!
What do you say to Arab health institutions that have faced this crisis?
It gives me great pleasure to express my deep thanks, appreciation and gratitude to all health institutions for their unique dedication, valuable efforts, influential measures and support to control this epidemic, as well as the sound management of this global crisis that is today a priority on the agenda of the global health system.
Many Arab health systems and institutions have made excellent progress, and they also have before them what they will present in the second wave of the epidemic, which has begun to escalate sharply in some countries in a very dangerous form, and are facing many entitlements and financial challenges to combat this crisis. I was very impressed with the winners'' files, which were characterized by high morality and unparalleled international excellence in preparing to face the crisis.
What are the criteria on which the winners were chosen?
Six criteria were set for evaluating health institutions'' files and included: response with government regulatory staff, leadership and governance, employee, visitor and patient safety, awareness campaigns, efficiency and scarcity of resources, and finally, research and development. Indeed, there were institutions that applied the six standards with distinction and professionalism. I am really proud of our health institutions that work and keep pace with and compete with global institutions.
These institutions have proven to be effective and incorporate evidence-based knowledge and wisdom for better quality and safety, as well as establishing important relationships with their patients and their families, and understanding needs. They have provided an outstanding level of care that deserves true gratitude and appreciation by the Arab Hospital Federation.
Based on your site, what is the message that you seek to convey through this initiative in terms of its distinction in dealing with the epidemic?
Our message is clear from such activities. From our beginnings, we set goals aimed at developing Arab health cadres and helping health institutions to develop to provide the best to the Arab patient, and we are really following the following points:
Building the real foundations for consolidating the position of excellence.
Encouraging, promoting, disseminating and facilitating initiatives that contribute to the development of education, planning, thought and the use of a successful model of care.
Highlighting and honoring successful initiatives to enable health institutions and their workforce to benefit from them.
Raise awareness of the importance of personal and institutional initiatives to develop collaborative culture in health care departments.
Encouraging and motivating them to innovate in developing various aspects of prevention and management of epidemics and health crises.
Documenting, expanding and strengthening the role of Arab health care institutions and their work in various fields of knowledge and practices, in addition to strengthening the Arab position to benefit from global experiences.
Can you tell us the names of the winning institutions?
Within the framework of the nominations, and in the first phase of the evaluation, 53 health institutions from 10 Arab countries submitted their files to be studied by the initiative''s jury, and 18 of them moved to the second. After an in-depth study of the files, the Golden Initiative certificate with various titles was awarded to 9 health institutions from 6 Arab countries through criteria that had been set by the arbitration committee.
I am also honored to announce the title of Man of the Year that was awarded to Dr. Firas Abyad - Executive Director of Rafic Hariri University Hospital for his distinguished efforts and work in combating the Corona pandemic in Lebanon in light of all the difficult circumstances that the country has lived through.
In my name and in the name of the Arab Hospital Federation, I extend my warmest congratulations to:
The Specialty Hospital - Amman - Jordan
Hamad Medical Corporation - Qatar
Bellevue Medical Center - Lebanon
King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan
Aster DM Healthcare - Dubai, UAE
Cleopatra Group of Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt
Directorate of Quality and Accreditation, Kuwaiti Ministry of Health
The People of Egypt Foundation, Cairo, Egypt
Rafic Hariri University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
last word?
Finally, I would like to announce that the Union will hold a second round of this initiative after the victory over the pandemic for the institutions that have not been able to present their files and are working hard to confront this global crisis, which will be announced in a timely manner. I thank my friend Mr. Simon Chammas for following him through this great and respected magazine, which monitors and publishes what is happening in the world of health, especially lighting, on what is happening in the Arab world. A thousand thanks for his constant support to the Union, and to other projects, God willing, and to the successes and distinction of the Arab Hospitals Federation.
“I thank my friend Mr. Simon Shammas for following him through this great and respected magazine, which follows up and publishes what is happening in the world of health, especially lighting up what is happening in the Arab world. A thousand thanks for his permanent support to the Union, and to other projects, God willing, and to the successes and distinction of the Arab Hospitals Federation.
