Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar has confirmed that the International Atomic Energy Agency’s accreditation of the institution as a cooperative center in the field of radiation medicine represents a national achievement that reflects the State of Qatar’s commitment to promoting advanced health care, building capabilities in nuclear medicine sciences and radiotherapy, and contributing to supporting international efforts to combat cancer through innovation, education and partnership.
Dr. Noura Al Hammadi, Vice President of the Medical Department for Medical Staff Affairs and Planning and Performance of the Medical Workforce at Hamad Medical Corporation, said in an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) that this prestigious accreditation places the institution within a limited global network of reference centers in radiological medicine, and is an international recognition of the quality and safety of services and the competence of its research and educational staff, including the field of radiotherapy, which is one of the The main pillars of oncology treatment.
Dr. Noura, who also holds the position of Deputy Medical Director and Head of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research, pointed out that the IAEA accreditation confirms the institution’s commitment to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s standards for accuracy of treatment, ensuring doses, and improving patient safety, which strengthens Qatar’s position as an advanced regional center in this delicate specialty.
The International Atomic Energy Agency recently announced the accreditation of Hamad Medical Corporation as a cooperative center under the name “Anchor Center” in the field of radiation medicine, as a result of close and continuous cooperation between the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, represented by the Radiation Protection Department, and Hamad Medical Corporation, within the framework of joint efforts to develop peaceful applications of nuclear technology in the fields of health care, diagnosis and treatment, in order to achieve more scientific and medical progress. For the benefit of Qatari society and humanity as a whole.
Dr. Noura Al Hammadi said that the international accreditation of Hamad Corporation as an anchor center means that the institution has become a reference point for the International Atomic Energy Agency in the region, to provide training, technical support and transfer of expertise. Accreditation in the field of radiotherapy also allows Hamad Medical Corporation to be a regional center for exchanging knowledge in treatment planning, dose verification, and quality assurance, for the benefit of patients and health institutions in neighboring countries.
She pointed out that one of the most important factors for the institution obtaining this accreditation is the presence of an advanced infrastructure in nuclear medicine and radiation therapy, which includes modern linear accelerators and advanced technologies, in addition to the availability of qualified national competencies in medical physics, radiation engineering, and therapeutic techniques, with the presence of highly precise systems to ensure quality, calibrate devices, and monitor doses, as well as the presence of a distinguished record in education and training. The research is supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Close cooperation
She explained that Hamad Medical Corporation cooperated closely with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in developing supervisory and regulatory frameworks for the use of radiation in diagnosis and treatment, and ensuring full compliance with national radiation protection standards. This cooperation also contributed to the development of joint training programs for workers in the field of radiation medicine and radiation therapy, which strengthened the international agency’s confidence in the national system.
She stated that Hamad Medical Corporation has been cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency for years in various fields, including nuclear medicine, medical physics, and radiation therapy. In the field of radiation therapy, the Corporation has participated in research projects and training programs affiliated with the Agency related to dosimetry, verifying the accuracy of treatment planning, and quality management in radiotherapy accelerators, in addition to participating in the “Radiology for Hope Initiative,” which It aims to expand cancer treatment services in developing countries.
Dr. Noura Al Hammadi spoke about the capabilities available at Hamad Medical Corporation in the field of radiation medicine, and said that the institution has advanced equipment that includes positron emission tomography and photon emission tomography devices for diagnosis with high accuracy, and advanced radiotherapy units using multi-energy linear accelerators in addition to targeted therapy techniques, treatment-guided imaging, and stereotactic therapy, as well as The availability of 3D and 4D planning systems, to ensure the delivery of the accurate dose to the tumor while protecting healthy tissue.
She added that the Corporation also relies on adaptive radiotherapy, which is one of the latest technologies in the world, as the treatment plan is updated daily according to the actual anatomical changes to ensure higher accuracy and better protection of healthy tissues. Hamad Corporation also provides specialized laboratories in medical physics and dose measurements, and highly accurate programs to verify quality in accordance with the standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the American Society for Medical Physics.
She said that the most beneficiaries of the Foundation’s accreditation as an anchor center in the field of radiation medicine are the patients themselves, as this accreditation translates into a continuous improvement in the quality of diagnosis and radiotherapy in accordance with the standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Through this role, the Foundation has become a role model in applying the highest standards of safety and accuracy of radiation doses, which means more effective and safer treatment for patients. This accreditation also allows the strengthening of programs. Training and development of medical and technical personnel within Hamad Medical Corporation, which is directly reflected in improving the quality of service provided to patients at various stages of treatment. Therefore, the institution’s accreditation as an anchor center does not only represent institutional excellence, but is a direct investment in patients’ health and raising the level of radiological care in the State of Qatar and the region.