Buraydah, November 13, 2022, SPA – Qassim Health Cluster represented by the Prince Sultan Cardiac Center in Qassim region has won the International Hospital Excellence Award, during the 45th International Hospital Federation (IHF), World Hospital Congress 2022, which was held in Dubai, UAE, with the participation and competition of 400 hospitals and medical centers from more than 35 countries, and held under the theme "Global Learnings, Local Actions: Sustainable Healthcare". CEO of Qassim Health Cluster, Dr. Sultan bin Saud Al-Shaya, reiterated that the Heart Center received the international award in the branch concerned with the social responsibility of hospitals, as a culmination of the “Qabas” initiative for acute heart attack cases, which was launched by the group to ensure speedy diagnosis and treatment of all heart attack patients, in all health facilities in the region, and work to quickly reach the cardiac catheterization laboratory at the Prince Sultan Cardiac Center in Qassim within 90 minutes of diagnosing the case to avoid complications of heart attacks. He pointed out that the center’s winning of the international award, which is one of the most prestigious awards that the largest hospitals and specialized centers in the world compete for, affiliated with IHF, comes after fulfilling the requirements for grants, which comes as a culmination of the efforts of the Group in developing the work system and reflects the extent of interest in developing medical services and raising the level of quality in all aspects within the comprehensive health system, by applying the best health standards, and focusing on the satisfaction of beneficiaries. Qassim Cluster launched the “Qabas” initiative in early 2019, aimed at reducing the waiting period, acceptance, and transfer procedures after diagnosing acute heart attack patients in peripheral hospital emergencies, and it works 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The initiative has benefitted more than 838 people. -- SPA 15:04 LOCAL TIME 12:04 GMT 0013 www.spa.gov.sa/w1812657