Ahmed Saud Jassim, Director of Administrative and Financial Affairs at QRCS Medical Affairs Division, told Qatar TV that the platform manages high patient volumes exceeding 5,000 visits per day across QRCS facilities. The system targets male workers, specifically single laborers who use QRCS-managed health centers.

How does it work?

The Hakeem platform gives patients remote access to healthcare services, cutting down on in-person visits. Patients can complete multiple tasks through the digital system:

• Book appointments online
• Review medical records
• Access prescriptions
• Get medical certificates
• View diagnoses and radiology images

When patients arrive at health centers with pre-booked appointments, they go straight to the relevant clinic. The system guides them through their scheduled visits. After consultations, doctors issue prescriptions electronically through the platform. Patients can also pay digitally.

QRCS operates four health centers under an agreement with the Ministry of Public Health. The organization also manages a large ambulance fleet and specialized training services.

Why does it matter?

The platform directly cuts waiting times and reduces congestion at health centers. Patients can access services without physically attending facilities. The system has minimized paperwork and streamlined patient journeys.

Reduced crowding at health centers improves service quality and lets healthcare providers focus more on patient care. The digital approach also creates greater transparency and continuity of care for patients.

QRCS has built robust cybersecurity measures into the platform, following international standards including ISO 27001 certification. Access is secured through integration with the national authentication system. Only verified users can log in and manage their health data.

The context

The initiative supports Qatar National Vision 2030 by advancing digital transformation in healthcare. Hakeem integrates with a central medical records system under the Ministry of Public Health. This ensures smooth data sharing and coordination across the healthcare network.

QRCS plans to expand the platform in future phases to cover broader segments of the population and additional services. The current first phase focuses on male workers who are the primary users of QRCS-managed health centers.

As QRCS continues expanding the platform’s capabilities, Hakeem is becoming a key part of modernizing healthcare delivery for workers in Qatar. The system sets a benchmark for digital health innovation in the region.

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The patient walked just one day after the nine-hour operation, showing how minimally invasive techniques can speed recovery for complex pancreatic procedures. The success means fewer Qatari patients will need to travel abroad for this specialized surgery.

How did it work?

The Whipple procedure removes tumors or diseased tissue from the head of the pancreas. Surgeons must remove multiple organs and tissues, then rebuild the digestive system to restore normal function.

During the operation, surgeons removed:

• The pancreatic head
• The duodenum
• Part of the bile duct
• The gallbladder
• In some cases, part of the stomach

The robotic system used high-definition 3D cameras and precision instruments inserted through small incisions. This gave surgeons better visualization and control compared to traditional open surgery, where a large incision across the abdomen is required.

Why does it matter?

The robotic approach offers several advantages over open surgery for suitable patients:

• Smaller incisions and less scarring
• Reduced blood loss during surgery
• Lower risk of infection
• Faster recovery times
• Shorter hospital stays
• Less post-operative pain

For Qatar’s healthcare system, this capability means patients no longer need to seek treatment abroad for complex pancreatic surgery. The procedure also builds HMC’s expertise in robotic surgery, which can be applied to other complex operations.

The context

The Whipple procedure is named after American surgeon Allen Whipple, who developed it in the 1930s. It remains one of the most challenging operations in surgery because it involves multiple critical organs and requires precise reconstruction of the digestive system.

Traditional open surgery requires a large incision and typically involves longer recovery periods. Robotic surgery has been adopted at major medical centers worldwide over the past decade, but this marks Qatar’s entry into robotic pancreatic surgery.

HMC is Qatar’s main public healthcare provider and has been expanding its surgical capabilities as part of the country’s broader healthcare development goals. The successful procedure positions Qatar as a regional center for complex surgical care.

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“QRCS has made one more achievement in developing health services and enhancing patient satisfaction,” said Abdullah Sultan Al Qattan, Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of Medical Affairs Division at QRCS. The platform creates an integrated system that gives patients easy and secure access to healthcare services while ensuring direct communication between patients and healthcare providers.

How does it work?

HAKEEM allows users to access their essential health data through a secure digital portal. The platform includes several key features:

• Medical appointments management – users can view, request, or change appointments as needed
• Lab results and medical reports access
• Prescriptions and treatment plans viewing
• Medical history tracking
• Health-related notifications and alerts
• Official documents like attendance and sick leave certificates
• Direct communication channels for suggestions and complaints

The app works on mobile devices and provides 24/7 access to personal health information from anywhere with an internet connection.

Why does it matter?

The platform addresses several common healthcare challenges. It reduces waiting times and paperwork by digitizing many routine processes. Patients can access medical information faster and make better-informed decisions about their health.

The system also improves communication between patients and QRCS health facilities. Instead of phone calls or in-person visits for routine inquiries, patients can get information through the app. This creates a smoother healthcare experience and allows for continuous monitoring of health conditions.

The platform also supports health education by delivering guidelines and educational messages directly to users’ devices.

The context

QRCS operates as a major healthcare provider in Qatar through its Medical Affairs Division. The division runs several key services:

• Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department for ambulance coverage and response
• Training and Development Center for health education and training
• Workers’ Health Centers providing primary healthcare under a partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health

The organization holds ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality management system and has platinum-level accreditation from Accreditation Canada. These certifications recognize QRCS’s capabilities in meeting international standards for quality care and services.

The HAKEEM platform represents QRCS’s move toward digital health services, following a broader trend in healthcare organizations worldwide to improve patient access and reduce administrative burdens through technology.

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The service connects people with qualified, multilingual psychologists through 30-minute video call sessions. There’s no referral needed, no fees, and the service maintains complete confidentiality. The hospital built the program around the message “You are not alone” – recognizing that anxiety, pressure, and emotional exhaustion can affect anyone.

How does it work?

The process is straightforward. People call +974 4144 2650 to book their free session. The key features include:

• 30-minute video call sessions
• Qualified multilingual psychologists
• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Complete privacy and confidentiality
• No referral or fees required

Sessions provide a safe space for people to express emotions openly and receive professional guidance with practical coping strategies. The service targets anyone feeling overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally drained, or simply needing a professional conversation.

Why does it matter?

Mental health services often face barriers that prevent people from seeking help. Cost, referral requirements, and limited availability can all stand in the way of getting support when it’s needed most.

Peace of Mind removes these barriers entirely. The 24/7 availability means help is accessible during crisis moments that don’t follow business hours. The multilingual aspect serves Qatar’s diverse population, while the video call format allows people to access support privately from wherever they are.

The hospital hopes the initiative will help normalize mental health conversations and encourage people to take that first step toward feeling better.

The context

This initiative reflects a growing recognition that mental health is as important as physical health. The View Hospital positions this as part of their broader community commitment, captured in their message “A Family, Above All.”

The timing also matters. Mental health awareness has increased globally, and communities are looking for more accessible ways to provide support. Qatar’s diverse population benefits from the multilingual approach, while the digital format meets people where they are.

By extending this support beyond their patient base to the entire community, The View Hospital is taking an unusual step. Most hospital mental health services focus on their own patients, but Peace of Mind opens the door to anyone in Qatar who needs support.

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The funding is a major step for iQtech, which was founded in 2025. The startup is now moving from its early founding phase into structured growth mode.

The money will go to

iQtech will use the investment to develop EsculapioVR, its main product. The platform combines virtual reality simulations with AI-powered performance reviews to improve medical training.

The company also plans to:

• Strengthen its technical infrastructure
• Speed up platform development
• Expand across Qatar and the wider MENA region

Why does it matter?

Medical training has traditionally relied on textbooks, lectures, and limited hands-on practice. iQtech’s approach lets healthcare professionals practice procedures in virtual environments without risk to real patients.

The AI component analyzes how trainees perform and gives them specific feedback. This could help medical schools and hospitals train staff more effectively and measure their progress more precisely.

The context

iQtech operates from Doha within the Qatar Science & Technology Park ecosystem. The company sits at the crossroads of healthcare technology and education technology.

The startup isn’t just focused on medical training. It also wants to create high-quality simulations for civil and military training programs. This broader approach could help the company reach more customers and markets as it grows.

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But that’s not all. The Qatar Foundation member also hit Stage 6 in another crucial rating system for medical imaging. This makes it the only organization in the Middle East and Europe to achieve this level in digital imaging maturity.

How does it work?

Two separate rating systems measure how hospitals use technology. HIMSS EMRAM looks at electronic medical records. It checks how well hospitals use digital systems for things like doctor notes, medication tracking, and clinical decision support.

HIMSS DIAM focuses on medical imaging. It measures how hospitals use diagnostic images like X-rays and MRIs to improve patient care and hospital operations.

Stage 6 in both systems means advanced digital integration. Hospitals at this level use electronic physician documentation, closed-loop medication systems, and sophisticated imaging data analysis. Reviewers spent two days in December evaluating Sidra Medicine’s workflows, from patient admission to discharge.

Why does it matter?

Digital health systems save lives and money. Electronic records reduce medical errors. Automated medication systems prevent dangerous drug interactions. Advanced imaging helps doctors make better diagnoses faster.

“This validation reflects the dedication and collaboration of our clinical, technical, and operational teams,” said Maha Al Henzab, Executive Director of Information Management & Technology at Sidra Medicine. “Reaching EMRAM and DIAM Stage 6 strengthens our ability to deliver safe, efficient, and digitally enabled care.”

The achievement also positions Qatar as a regional leader in healthcare technology. Other hospitals in the Middle East will likely look to Sidra Medicine as a model for their own digital transformation efforts.

The context

Healthcare digitization has accelerated globally since the pandemic. Hospitals worldwide are racing to implement electronic systems that improve patient safety and operational efficiency.

Sidra Medicine’s achievement comes as Qatar invests heavily in healthcare infrastructure. The country is positioning itself as a regional medical hub, attracting patients from across the Middle East.

The hospital isn’t stopping here. It plans to advance toward Stage 7, the highest level in both rating systems. The assessment also highlighted Sidra Medicine’s use of AI-enabled imaging and 3D printing, showing how cutting-edge technology is becoming standard in modern healthcare.

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The QNDIS initiative isn’t another run-of-the-mill IT rollout. It promises to bind disparate data streams into a single, agile platform that helps clinicians, researchers, and health administrators see the full picture — literally and figuratively — of patient care.

How does it work?

At its core, QNDIS is a national platform designed for sharing medical imaging data across healthcare providers and systems in Qatar. Think of it as a neural network for healthcare images:

• It ingests diagnostic images such as X-rays, MRIs and CT scans from hospitals and clinics.
• It processes and stores them securely at scale.
• It enables health professionals to access and share images instantly across facilities, in real time.

This is not just storage. It’s an integrated platform that supports real-time analysis, better decision-making and stronger operational efficiency. In stark contrast with siloed legacy systems, QNDIS is meant to be the backbone of a unified health ecosystem where data flows freely, yet securely, wherever it’s needed most.

Dr Juliet Ibrahim B Ibrahim, Director of Digital Health at MoPH, captured the tone of the project when she said, “We are very excited to kick off the QNDIS project … We are looking for the best, not only for today but also for the future.”

Why does it matter?

Healthcare data is only as powerful as the hands that can access it. In a world where every second counts — especially in emergencies — having imaging data trapped in one hospital is like owning a book no one else can read. This platform changes that:

• Faster decision-making for physicians across institutions.
• Improved patient experience through reduced wait times and fewer redundant scans.
• Real-time health data analysis to support public health planning and response.

Fadi Lebbos, General Manager of ABAM, described the rollout as “a significant step in Qatar’s digital healthcare evolution,” underscoring how such interoperability reflects a deep commitment to strengthening the national healthcare ecosystem from both public and private sides.

The context

Qatar’s healthcare transformation journey is part of a broader national push toward digital governance. The QNDIS project aligns with Qatar’s Healthcare 2030 Strategy and the National E-Health and Data Management Strategy, both of which emphasize connected care, data integrity and cross-sector collaboration.

This launch comes at a time when the nation is doubling down on innovation across sectors. According to a recent editorial on Qatar’s broader tech trajectory, events like Web Summit Qatar and expanded investment funds indicate the state’s unwavering belief in technology as a catalyst for future growth.

While healthcare systems around the world struggle with fragmented records and isolated imaging silos, Qatar is betting that integrated platforms like QNDIS will not only improve care but also lift its profile as a digital trailblazer in the region. In the words of the Siemens Healthineers Managing Director for the Middle East, the priority remains “successful and timely execution of this important QNDIS project.”

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How will it work?

Under the new MoU, both sides will work hand-in-hand to knit research, clinical insights, and investment muscle into a seamless pipeline.

Here’s how the playbook looks:

• Build bridges between Sidra’s clinical and research ecosystem and Builders VC’s global venture network.
• Give early-stage medtech and biotech start-ups a real-world testbed to validate their solutions.
• Bring advanced technologies into Sidra’s Innovation Lab to tackle actual healthcare problems.
• Support commercialization, capital access, and scaling opportunities regionally and globally.

Prof Khalid Fakhro, Sidra’s Chief Research Officer, put it plainly: working together creates a “living lab where biotech and health-tech innovations can meet and work on addressing real-world healthcare challenges.”

Tarik Sultan, Partner and Head of Builders VC MENA, echoed the sentiment. For him, this pact formalizes “what we have been building together over the past year,” giving healthtech founders something rare — clinical infrastructure with deep research expertise plus a path to markets and capital.

Why does it matter?

This is more than another corporate handshake. It matters for a few deep reasons:

• From lab bench to patient bed: Too often, promising tech stalls because it never sees real clinical settings. This partnership tackles that head-on by blending Sidra’s clinical environment with Builders VC’s start-up and investment ecosystem.
• A pipeline for innovation: It creates a clear route for early-stage ideas to be tested, refined, and scaled. That means start-ups get feedback sooner, and solutions get sharper faster.
• Global reach from Doha: This isn’t just about local pilots. With Builders VC’s global ties, solutions incubated in Qatar can find markets far beyond the Gulf.
• Better outcomes for patients: The ultimate yardstick is impact on real people. By focusing on operational efficiency, patient outcomes, and research excellence, this alliance aims to improve care and make it more accessible.

The context

To see the full picture, this move sits on a larger trend. Sidra Medicine has been steadily positioning itself as a living lab for healthcare innovation. Over the past few years, it signed agreements with global tech and health partners, from Germany’s Vitafluence.ai on AI-driven health initiatives to local venture players like Rasmal Ventures to bring digital health ideas into practice.

Qatar itself is pushing hard on innovation as part of its long-term strategies — not just for clinical excellence but also as a hub for medtech, genomics research, and life sciences. Sidra’s work has dovetailed with these goals, hosting events, research forums, and strategic collaborations that lift the entire ecosystem.

And lest we forget, this new pact was sharpened on the sidelines of Web Summit Qatar 2026 — a sign that healthcare innovation is no longer siloed. It’s part of the great tech conversation.

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