Humanizing Healthcare: A Global Dialogue on Person-Centered Care By: Dr. Abdulkarim Agga, RN
When nearly 200 healthcare professionals from across Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and beyond gathered online for Qatar Care’s latest webinar, the virtual space quickly transformed into more than a lecture hall, it became a community of voices united by one vision: to bring humanity back to the heart of healthcare.
Titled “From Task to Touch: Humanizing Healthcare with Person-Centered Care,” the session spotlighted the essence of Person-Centered Care (PCC), moving away from routine tasks and embracing the unique needs, values, and preferences of each patient. This event marked the first installment of a three-part webinar series on PCC, featuring thought leaders and specialists from around the world who are shaping the future of humanized care.
The program featured two powerful speakers whose experiences transcended borders. Ms. Justine Plaatijies, Nursing Supervisor and PCC Champion from Hamad Private Nursing Services in Qatar, shared stories of how frontline nurses can anchor their daily practice in compassion, listening, and respect. From Saudi Arabia, Ms. Ameera Al Ghamdi, PCC Specialist at King Fahad Medical Complex, offered a complementary perspective, emphasizing structured frameworks and strategies that enable healthcare teams to translate PCC from theory into measurable outcomes. Guiding the discussion was Dr. Abdulkarim Agga, Head of Education and Training at Qatar Care, who moderated with warmth and depth, ensuring that the dialogue remained practical, culturally grounded, and inspiring.
The objectives of the webinar reached far beyond a checklist of competencies. Participants explored how to embrace cultural competence as a cornerstone of PCC, recognize the barriers that hinder truly individualized care, understand how beliefs and values shape patient decisions, and apply evidence-based strategies that make PCC sustainable across healthcare environments. What resonated most were the realities shared from two countries. Qatar’s advances in patient engagement and Saudi Arabia’s structured PCC initiatives provided a comparative lens, allowing attendees to reflect on both best practices and common challenges. Tools for measuring PCC were introduced, offering participants tangible ways to evaluate progress.
Perhaps the most impactful theme woven through the dialogue was the reminder that healthcare is more than procedures and protocols, it is about touch, trust, and togetherness. Participants engaged actively in the discussions, echoing their own challenges and affirming their commitment to reshape care that is not only clinically excellent but deeply human.
As the session concluded, the message was clear: PCC is not a passing initiative, but a lasting philosophy. It requires courage to challenge routines, humility to listen, and dedication to honor the person behind every patient. For Qatar Care, this webinar was not just another milestone in its Continuing Professional Development series, it was the beginning of a broader journey.
With two more installments in the series yet to come, featuring global voices and worldwide best practices, the conversation on humanizing healthcare is only just beginning.
