Doha, Qatar: Nursing and midwifery professionals play a central role in strengthening Qatar’s primary healthcare system, with their expertise, continuous professional development and commitment to patient-centred care contributing to improved service quality and patient safety, a senior Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) official has said.
Speaking on the Arab Nurses and Midwives Day, Nursing Consultant and Clinical Affairs Specialist at PHCC, Afrah Mousa Saleh Ali highlighted the corporation’s continued efforts to empower nursing and midwifery professionals through training, career development and leadership opportunities.
She said PHCC leadership’s support for the two professions has had a significant impact on service quality and patient experience across its health centres. These efforts, she added, are aligned with PHCC’s vision and strategy, the National Health Strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030.
Describing nurses and midwives as the backbone of healthcare delivery, Ali said they serve as a vital link between patients, their families and healthcare teams, playing an important role throughout the patient journey.
She noted that nursing professionals are at the forefront of patient safety through continuous monitoring, early identification of warning signs, timely intervention, accurate documentation and incident reporting. PHCC leadership has also placed emphasis on strengthening a culture of safety and continuous quality improvement.
Across PHCC health centres, nurses and midwives lead and support a wide range of services, including maternity and child healthcare, vaccinations, chronic disease management, early screening, school health and elderly care.
Midwives, in particular, play an essential role in monitoring pregnant women, identifying potential risks, providing postpartum care and supporting breastfeeding.
Ali said the ability of nursing and midwifery professionals to build long-term relationships with patients and their families helps strengthen trust, ensure continuity of care and improve the overall patient experience.
She stressed that professional competence directly influences healthcare quality indicators, including patient safety, satisfaction and the reduction of complications. Specialisations in emergency care, intensive care, oncology, paediatrics, mental health and home healthcare are increasingly important in responding to evolving healthcare needs.
She also highlighted the importance of attracting young Qataris to nursing and midwifery through local academic programmes, while preparing national professionals for specialised and leadership positions.
On professional development, Ali said nursing and midwifery have evolved into evidence-based professions, offering career opportunities beyond clinical practice in areas such as research, education, advanced practice, health informatics, quality management and leadership.
PHCC supports this development through postgraduate education, specialised certifications and leadership programmes, in line with national priorities to strengthen primary care, prevention, patient-centred services and the national healthcare workforce.
She also pointed to the growing role of technology, including electronic health records, virtual consultations, data dashboards and artificial intelligence, in improving operational efficiency and decision-making.
“Technology does not diminish the human side of care. Rather, it gives nurses more time to spend with their patients. Technology is a tool, while people remain at the heart of care,” she said.
Concluding her message, Ali urged nursing and midwifery professionals to continue leading improvements in healthcare through knowledge, data and innovation.
She reaffirmed PHCC’s commitment to investing in their capabilities, expanding career pathways and fostering a supportive working environment that recognises excellence and safeguards their well-being.
