Doha, September 15 (QNA) - Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) Al Wakra Hospital has advanced to the highest level of recognition from the US-based Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), receiving the prestigious Age-Friendly Health System Level 2 award, "Committed to Care Excellence for Older Adults".

This achievement marks significant progress from the Level 1 "Participant" status the hospital had been awarded earlier this year.

In a statement on Monday, HMC said the new recognition highlights Al Wakra Hospital's commitment to advancing care standards for patients aged 60 and above. By achieving the Committed to Care Excellence level, the hospital joins Rumailah Hospital as a Level 2 facility in embedding international best practices for age-friendly care across HMC, ensuring older adults receive safe, personalized and high-quality services.

Dr. Hanadi Khamis Al Hamad, HMC's Deputy Chief for Long-Term Care, Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, said: "This recognition reflects the dedication of our teams to deliver timely, high-quality services for older patients. As Qatar's senior citizen population grows, we remain committed to expanding specialized health services and supporting healthy aging."

To achieve this recognition, Al Wakra Hospital carried out several months of evaluation and data collection. The work measured how well care for older adults aligns with the 4Ms Framework. This framework focuses on four key areas: ensuring that care is tailored to each older adult’s health goals and preferences, using age-friendly medications that do not interfere with what matters most, mental health or mobility, preventing and managing conditions such as dementia, depression and delirium, and supporting safe daily movement to maintain function and independence.

Dr. Omar Mohammed Al Qahtani, CEO and Medical Director of Al Wakra Hospital, said: “By applying these care practices, Al Wakra Hospital has improved outcomes for elderly patients and set an example for healthcare providers in the region. Achieving the Committed to Care Excellence award reflects our team's determination to provide age-friendly healthcare services at the highest level."

Nasser Al Naimi, Chief of Patient Experience and Director of Hamad Healthcare Quality Institute, added: "Our partnership with IHI has helped raise standards across HMC's health system and this award ensures our patients benefit from care aligned with the best international practices." (QNA)