HMC nurse leaders participate in international conference in Australia

Two senior nursing leaders at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) recently represented the organization at a prestigious healthcare conference held in Australia.

As part of HMC’s commitment to developing Qatari nurse leaders, Dr. Nabila Al-Meer, HMC’s Deputy Chief for Community Care and Supreme Council of Health Nursing Affairs, and Dr. Badriya Al Lenjawi, who leads the professional development of HMC’s nursing workforce, recently travelled to Melbourne, Australia to take part in the 25th Quadrennial Congress of the International Council of Nurses (ICN).

Joining more than 5,000 delegates from over 130 nations, the nursing leaders participated in the five day conference which focused on leadership across specialties, cultures and countries. The occasion marked the first time Qatar was represented at the event.

The Conference concentrated on the development of nurse leaders and specifically the importance of linking clinical areas with leadership. The theme for the conference was ‘equity and access to healthcare’. Dr. Al Lenjawi says attendees were inspired to think beyond their boundaries in order to protect and promote health.

“As nurses we are all working towards the goal of ensuring that our respective nursing services are on par with the world’s best,” she said. “The conference provided a great opportunity to discuss the issues and challenges faced by nursing workforces worldwide and it underscored why nurses must be at the center of the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate patient care,” said Dr. Al Lenjawi.

Dr. Al Lenjawi, who presented on the importance of developing Qatari nurse leaders and the significance of the ICN Leadership for Change program, added that Conference speakers stressed the importance of maximizing the potential of nurses.

The ICN’s Leadership for Change program was recently launched in Qatar as a partnership between the World Health Organization, the Supreme Council of Health, HMC and the Primary Health Care Corporation. Fifteen HMC Qatari nurses are enrolled in the program which is the first of its kind in Qatar and is designed to assist nursing leaders in the effective management and implementation of strategic and tactical plans.

The ICN is a federation of more than 130 national nursing associations, representing more than 13 million nurses worldwide. The ICN is thought to be the widest reaching international organization for health professionals.