HMC received award for Digital Transformation in the category of Innovations in Telehealth

In an award ceremony hosted by the Arab Hospitals Federation in Abu Dhabi, Hamad Medical Corporation was awarded the Gold Initiative Certificate for Digital Transformation in the category of Innovations in Telehealth.

The award was given for the impactful work of the National Mental Health Helpline (NMHH), which is operated by HMC's Mental Health Service, in recognition of the remarkable contribution to transforming access to care, during and post the COVID-19 pandemic.

Representing HMC at the award ceremony were Mr. Mohamad Mubarak Al Noimi, Director of the Office of Her Excellency, the Minister of Public Health; Mr. Ali Al Khater, Communications Advisor to the Minister of Public Health and Chair of the Supreme Committee for Healthcare Communications; and Mr. Saad Al Dosari, Assistant Executive Director of Corporate Communications at HMC.

The NMHH is free of charge specialized mental health service, consistently receiving over 1200 calls per month and offering virtual consultations. It provides both phone and video consultations.

On the record

"There was no similar service available in the country, before the launch of the helpline, which offers easy and confidential access for people to mental health assessment and support with rapid response," Dr. Majid Abdulla, Chairman of Psychiatry and Medical Director of the Mental Health Service at HMC. "It was launched in April 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has since been consolidated as a key access point to mental health support for the population of Qatar."

"Easy and effective access triage and assessment services are critical to the early identification of mental health problems and to the provision of timely, appropriate interventions. This helpline plays an essential role in avoiding preventable relapses and offering rapid response when a person notices signs of relapse, as well as in helping individuals to navigate the health system," added Dr. Abdulla.

"Digital health transformation makes hospitals more patient-centered, efficient, and cost-effective, while also improving the quality of care provided to patients. Technology is one of the best ways for hospitals to achieve these goals. We are honored to receive this prestigious award from the Arab Hospitals Federation," said Mr. Hassan Al Hail, HMC's Chief Communications Officer. "I congratulate everyone from HMC's Mental Health Service for their remarkable efforts in establishing the helpline and boosting access to care for people in Qatar experiencing stress, anxiety and other psychological distress."

The context

The Arab Hospitals Federation said this award is dedicated to honoring the healthcare sector, leaders and institutions committed to implementing innovation and technologies, reinforcing investments, improving patient outcomes, enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, increasing access to care, advancing research, and leading the healthcare sector towards digital transformation.

According to the anonymous feedback from users collected over the past few years, reports indicate an 81% rate of satisfaction with the NMHH service; 90% reported that staff are courteous; 79% reported that the service was responsive to their needs; 83% stated they would use the service again and 83% would recommend the service to family or friends.