The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has celebrated 23 of its Health Centers receiving Gold, Silver and three-star Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) certification from the Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD).

 An award ceremony recognizing the achievement was held at Doha’s Hilton Hotel, in the presence of Dr Mariam Ali Abdulmalik, Managing Director of PHCC, Dr Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD, and senior leadership from PHCC and GORD.

During the ceremony, which began with Dr Alhorr presenting Dr Abdulmalik with the Gold Sustainability Shield, the Certificate of Excellence and the Sustainability Audit Report Writing Certificate, Dr Abdulmalik praised the achievement, saying that it builds on a series of milestones and successes achieved by PHCC over the past few years thanks to the efforts and dedication of its staff. Dr Abdulmalik added “The fact that 23 PHCC Health Centers have received ‘Gold’ and ‘Silver’ GSAS certification from GORD underlines the importance of the attention paid by the State of Qatar to environmental sustainability, hence PHCC’s commitment to being an integral part of the country’s plans in this field.”

Dr Alhorr said, “It is no secret that the planetary health is going through many environmental and developmental challenges, drawing the attention of countries around the world and driving them to speed up the adoption of sustainability standards to meet these challenges and ensure a better life for this and future generations to come. The COVID-19 global pandemic has amplified the importance of indoor environment quality standards in buildings.”

‘Green buildings’, especially in healthcare sector, allow sustainable operations to conserve resources while improving patient care through the establishment of a safe indoor environment.

Environmental sustainability has become a priority across all sectors and is the main focus of many initiatives of the State of Qatar and many of its institutions, going in line with the directives of HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar.

GSAS certification is an honorable achievement for PHCC’s Health Centers which have distinguished themselves, performance-wise, by adopting the requirements of environmental sustainability and providing high-quality facilities, unmatched by any sector in the region. It is an indication of the leading position of Qatar’s health sector and its development in a manner consistent with the environmental and human pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030, while aligning with the Qatar National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, launched by HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, last week.

As a part of PHCC’s commitment towards environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, a detailed assessment of 23 of PHCC’s Health Centers was performed by GORD Labs and the GSAS Trust for the purpose of identifying energy-saving opportunities leading to GSAS operational certification.  Ten Health Centers were considered to be new buildings, as they had been operational for less than ten years, and most, achieving Gold GSAS operational certification, had been constructed according to GSAS Design and Build Certification requirements, whereas many of the older centers achieved ‘Silver’ certification.

The 11 Health Centers receiving Gold GSAS Operations Certificates are Leabaib, Al Thumama, Umm Salal, Al Ghuwayriyah, West Bay, Muaither, Al Karaana, Al Waab, Rawdat Al Khail, Al Wajba and Qatar University.

Silver GSAS Operations Certificates: were awarded to Abu Baker Al Siddiq, Abu Nakhla, Al Matar, Gharrafat Al Rayyan, Omar Bin Khattab, Al Wakra, Al Daayen, Mesaimeer, Al Kaaban, Al Jumailiya and Al Sheehaniya Health Centers while the eight Health Centers awarded GSAS 3-Star Design and Build Certification, in cooperation with Ashghal, the Public Works Authority, are Leabaib, Umm Salal, Muaither, Al Waab, Rawdat Al Khail, Al Wajba, Qatar University and Al Ruwais.