The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) successfully concluded its Emergency and Disaster Business Continuity Planning Workshop last Thursday. Held on November 27-28 at La Cigale Hotel in Doha, the event brought together senior management, department directors, division heads, and a significant number of PHCC employees. The workshop saw broad participation and remarkable engagement, focusing on enhancing preparedness and ensuring the continuous provision of services during crises.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Mariam Abdul Malik, Managing Director of PHCC, emphasized the importance of the workshop as an opportunity to strengthen the spirit of commitment and responsibility in the face of emergency challenges. She stated:

“This workshop is more than just an item on our agenda; it is a powerful reminder of our shared mission to deliver reliable and sustainable care, no matter the challenges we may encounter. Healthcare continuity is not just about providing treatment—it’s about building trust. Our communities depend on us, and we must always be ready to adapt, respond, and most importantly, maintain stability in the face of any crisis.”

Dr. Hamda Al Qaatri, Manager of Emergency and Disaster Preparedness at PHCC and head of the workshop’s organizing team, described the event as a transformative step toward developing a comprehensive framework that ensures the continuity of services during crises. She remarked: “This workshop was not merely a training session; it was a step toward our commitment to establishing a framework that guarantees uninterrupted healthcare services. It also clarified roles and responsibilities, ensuring seamless collaboration during emergencies.”

During its two-day duration, the workshop discussed the urgent need for effective strategies to respond to emergencies, particularly since such incidents—whether caused by natural disasters or pandemics—pose significant challenges to healthcare systems. The discussions emphasized the necessity of regular training, simulation exercises, and continuous development programs to ensure the readiness and resilience of healthcare facilities and staff. Participants also highlighted the importance of building the capacity of healthcare professionals to deliver services and care, as well as securing auxiliary services such as information technology and resource management during such incidents.

Key Outcomes

The workshop produced several key recommendations to strengthen PHCC’s ability to manage emergencies, including:

• Enhancing collaboration and communication protocols across departments.
• Building trust and practical skills among healthcare professionals and the wider community.
• Identifying logistical needs and resources to ensure uninterrupted business operations.
• Strengthening interdepartmental relationships and clarifying roles and responsibilities during crises.

Future Recommendations

The event concluded with recommendations to continue refining emergency plans and protocols, fostering collaboration across departments, and expanding training initiatives to ensure optimal preparedness. PHCC’s senior management emphasized that such workshops are integral to the corporation’s vision, rooted in the National Health Strategy, to enhance the sustainability of healthcare services and their resilience to emergencies.

The workshop ended with great hopes for enhancing PHCC’s emergency response capabilities, with a strong emphasis on everyone’s commitment to continuing efforts to achieve the highest levels of preparedness and sustainability in delivering healthcare services, while ensuring business continuity under all circumstances.