PHCC has become Qatar’s first government entity to complete the second cycle of GSAS Operations with the recertification of 29 health centers under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS).

Twenty-nine health centers operated by Qatar’s Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) have been awarded the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) Operations certifications. The certifications were conferred by the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD), with several facilities achieving high-performance ratings, including Platinum and Gold, reflecting excellence in operational sustainability, resource efficiency, and indoor environmental quality. Notably, this achievement distinguishes PHCC as the first government entity in Qatar to renew its GSAS-OP certifications for a second cycle, a process required every four years to maintain compliance.

In a ceremony held at Al Sadd Health Center, in the presence of H.E. Dr. Mariam Ali Abdulmalik, Managing Director of the Primary Health Care Corporation, Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD, presented the certificates and commemorative plaques to Mr. Musallam Mubarak Al Nabit, Assistant Managing Director of Administration and Corporate Services at PHCC, along with senior representatives and directors of the certified health centers. The ceremony recognized PHCC’s continued commitment to sustainable operations and high-performance healthcare environments.

Healthcare Environmental Quality

Dr. Yousef Alhorr, Founding Chairman of GORD, said: “The achievement of the Primary Health Care Corporation’s health centers in obtaining the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) Operations certifications for the second consecutive time represents a distinguished environmental and institutional milestone. It reflects a forward-looking leadership vision and a firm commitment to making sustainability an integral part of Qatar’s healthcare system. This achievement also reaffirms PHCC’s alignment with Qatar National Vision, the Qatar National Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and the Sustainable Development Goals, through enhancing operational efficiency, optimizing resource consumption, and improving indoor environmental quality, thereby contributing to healthier, safer, and more sustainable environments for patients, visitors, and staff.”

High-Performance Healthcare Through Sustainable Operations

Mr. Musallam Mubarak Al Nabit, Assistant Managing Director of Administration & Corporate Services at PHCC, said: “The certification of 29 health centers under GSAS represents an important milestone in the organization’s commitment to delivering sustainable healthcare. In collaboration with GORD and through the implementation of the GSAS framework, we have strengthened our approach to operational efficiency, resource management, and environmental responsibility. This achievement reflects the dedication of our teams and our alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030 in advancing sustainability and creating high-performance healthcare environments. We reaffirm our commitment to building upon this partnership, enhancing our facilities, and continuing to provide patient-centered care within safe, efficient, and sustainable environments for the communities we serve.”

Technical Audits

During the certification process, more than 90 technical audits were conducted for indoor environment’s onsite measurements across the 29 facilities. These included Abu Baker Health Center, Abu Nakhla Health Center, Airport Health Center, Al Daayen Health Center, Al Jumailiya Health Center, Al Kaaban Health Center, Al Karaana Health Center, Al Khor Health Center, Al Mashaf Health Center, Al Rayyan Health Center, Al Ruwais Health Center, Al Sadd Health Center, Al Sheehaniya Health Center, Al Thumama Health Center, Al Waab Health Center, Al Wajbah Health Center, Al Wakra Health Center, Gharrafat Al Rayyan Health Center, Leabaib Health Center, Leghwairiya Health Center, Mesaimeer Health Center, Muaither Health Center, Omar Bin Al Khattab Health Center, Qatar University Health Center, Rawdat Al Khail Health Center, South Wakra Health Center, Umm Al Seneem Health Center, Umm Slal Health Center, and West Bay Health Center. Notably, many of these facilities were earlier certified under the GSAS Design & Build Healthcare Scheme which evaluates the sustainability of newly constructed and majorly renovated buildings.

Carbon Footprint Reduction

GSAS Operations certification provides a data-driven roadmap for reducing the carbon footprint of existing buildings while enhancing the indoor environment for building occupants. Its performance-based framework evaluates buildings during their operational phase, focusing on key parameters such as energy consumption, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, waste management, and facility management practices. The assessment process involves comprehensive audits conducted by GORD’s sustainability experts at GSAS Trust, including on-site inspections, data analysis, and performance benchmarking against established GSAS criteria.

Across the certified PHCC facilities, a combination of passive and active design and operational strategies contributed to the high ratings achieved. These include optimized building envelopes with reduced glazing, shading devices to limit solar heat gain, and the integration of daylighting strategies to reduce reliance on artificial lighting.

Mechanical Systems’ Performance Assessment

Mechanical systems such as packaged air conditioning units, variable refrigerant flow systems, and DX air handling units have been evaluated for operational efficiency, while several centers incorporate hybrid domestic hot water systems combining solar and electric technologies.

In addition to energy and water performance, the certification places a strong emphasis on indoor environmental quality, particularly in healthcare settings where occupant wellbeing is critical. Parameters such as thermal comfort, ventilation effectiveness, air quality, lighting levels, acoustics, and visual comfort were assessed to ensure alignment with best practices for patient care environments. Enhanced ventilation and air quality management systems are particularly relevant in mitigating the spread of airborne infections, reinforcing the role of sustainable operations in supporting public health outcomes.

The certification process also led to detailed audit reports for each facility, outlining opportunities for further optimization, including upgrades to legacy systems, improved operational controls, and potential energy savings. These recommendations provide PHCC with a structured roadmap for continuous improvement in sustainability performance across its portfolio. To ensure continued compliance, the GSAS Operations certification is valid for four years, after which new audits should be conducted to verify that the health centers continue to operate sustainably and maintain the rigorous technical benchmarks required for recertification.