Members of the QUAADRIL team toured hospital facilities and interviewed staff as part of their assessment of diagnostic radiology services. (Photo: IAEA)
From 19 to 26 January, the IAEA and international experts, alongside Qatari counterparts, assessed diagnostic radiology services at 16 hospitals under the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) — Qatar’s primary public healthcare provider, operating 70 per cent of the country’s hospitals. The team reviewed clinical practices, equipment calibration, and staff protocols, while also conducting interviews with medical professionals. “The IAEA is committed to enhancing global radiology standards by integrating the QUAADRIL principles into radiological practices worldwide. We strive to ensure that all radiological services meet international benchmarks through robust quality assurance, targeted training, and innovative technology transfer, regardless of regional resources,” said Virginia Tsapaki, a radiology medical physicist in the IAEA’s Division of Human Health and a member of the QUAADRIL team to Qatar. “Our mission is to empower healthcare professionals with the tools and knowledge necessary to deliver effective and sustainable radiological care that meets today’s needs and anticipates tomorrow’s challenges.”
Organized through the IAEA’s Human Health Programme and under an ongoing national technical cooperation (TC) project, the comprehensive audit considered all the procedures related to the delivery of clinical diagnostic radiology services — from the moment patients are referred for examination to the analysis of the final image results. The QUAADRIL team also reviewed radiation protection and safety schemes, assessed the calibration and instrumentation of equipment, and interviewed doctors on their quality management practices.
“The organization of the QUAADRIL mission showcases the enhanced collaboration between the IAEA, Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health and the local team of clinical professionals since the signing of Practical Arrangements in 2023,” said Linda Eid, IAEA Programme Management Officer for Qatar.
“The IAEA’s QUAADRIL audit enhances our organization’s capabilities and underscores our commitment to providing the safest and most accurate diagnostic services to our patients," said Amal Al Obaidli, Chairperson of the Corporation’s Clinical Imaging Department.
"By being part of the QUAADRIL programme, we are not just improving our technical and clinical capabilities, but we are also contributing to the global advancement of medical imaging practices,” Al Obaidli said. “We are committed to continuous improvement, and this mission has been an invaluable learning experience for all of us. The successful achievement of the IAEA’s QUAADRIL audit with a recognition of excellence reflects the dedication of our entire clinical imaging team, as well as the exceptional support from Hamad Medical Corporation in ensuring that we continuously meet and exceed the highest standards in clinical imaging.”
