What is the JCI?
The JCI refers to the Joint Commission International. The JCI is an independent, non-profit, charitable organisation that offers accreditation and certification to health care organisations and programs all over the world. According to their site, the JCI’s mission is to improve and enhance the safety and quality of care worldwide. They strive to achieve this by providing education, advisory services, and international accreditations to healthcare organisations around the globe.
What can you expect from a JCI accredited hospital or service?
JCI accreditation is viewed as a gold-standard attainment in the global healthcare industry. If a hospital, healthcare programme or health care organisation has met the JCI’s standard for accreditation, they will display this seal of approval:
JCI accredited healthcare organisations have outstanding commitment to the delivery of quality care in a safe environment. Organisations that have JCI accreditation are generally considered world-class health care providers, and patients can be sure that the facility they’re visiting meets the JCI’s strict criteria for accreditation regarding delivery of care, patient safety and overall patient support.
Are there JCI accreditation hospitals in the Middle East?
Many countries across the Middle East have received JCI accreditations for specific, individual medical programmes, with a handful having received the gold seal of approval for their hospitals and clinics.
There are a number of JCI accredited hospitals, dentistry clinics, and medical programmes in the UAE, for example, located across many different cities within the country.
Read on to see a breakdown of the JCI accredited hospitals and programmes currently available in the Middle East.
JCI hospitals in Bahrain
There are 4 JCI accredited hospitals in Bahrain. The first of these to receive accreditation was the Bahrain Specialist Hospital in Juffair, which achieved the gold seal of approval in October 2011.
The Al Hilal Hospital located in Muharraq was accredited in July 2016, with the Dr. Tariq hospital, in Manama, receiving accreditation shortly after in September of the same year.
The most recent recipient of the JCI accreditation is the King Hamad University Hospital, also located in Manama, which achieved its status in November 2019.
JCI hospitals in Kuwait
In Kuwait, there are 3 JCI accredited medical services and institutions. The Dental 8 Clinic Network, based in Hawalli, received accreditation for its ambulatory services in September 2013.
The New Mowasat Hospital in Salmiya, as well as the Taiba Hospital in Bayan, both received JCI accreditations in 2010 as part of the Hospital Program.
The Taiba Hospital has also received JCI certification for its knee replacement program and its lumbar decompression and fixation program. Both certifications were awarded in March 2017.
JCI hospitals in Oman
Oman has seen five medical institutions receive JCI accreditation thus far. In 2012, both the Muscat Private Hospital and the Starcare Hospital, located in the national’s capital city Muscat, received their gold seal of approval.
Three institutions have since followed: the Al Borg Medical Laboratory and the Badr Al Samaa Hospital, both in Muscat, and the Badr Al Samma Hospital in Muscat Ruwi, the business and corporate hub of the city.
JCI hospitals in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates has the most JCI accredited programs and organisations of any country in the Middle East, with 206 national institutions and specialty programs boasting the gold seal of approval.
Hospitals all around the Emirates have received JCI accreditation, including the likes of the Al Ahli Hospital in the capital city of Abu Dhabi, the Al Dhaid Hospital in Sharjah, and the Al Khail Medical Centre in Dubai.
Given the UAE’s prominence and popularity as an expat destination, it’s reassuring to know the quality of healthcare services available is recognised as world class. To learn more about expat life in the UAE, check out our guide on Moving to the UAE. Or to find out more about the Emirates, read our post on the history of the UAE.
JCI hospitals in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has an incredible 106 JCI accredited programs and hospitals. Many of these lie in the nation’s capital, Riyadh, as well as the other populous cities of Jeddah and Medina.
In December 2020, the Alkharj Military Industries Corporation Hospital, based in the capital of Riyadh, received accreditation. More recently in November 2021, the Adeed Saudi Medical Services Company, also located in Riyadh, received the gold seal of approval as part of the JCI’s home care program.
JCI hospitals in Qatar
Qatar boasts 22 different JCI accredited institutions and programs, most of which are located in the nation’s capital, Doha.
The first to receive accreditation was the Women’s Wellness Research Centre, a part of the Hamad Medical Corporation. The research centre achieved accreditation in June 2006 as part of the JCI’s academic medical centre hospital program.
Most recently, the Gulf Laboratory and Radiology centre in Doha received accreditation for its ambulatory services. The gold seal was awarded to the centre in December 2020.
JCI Hospitals in the Middle East
You can find a complete list of JCI accredited hospitals, programs and institutions, including the ones mentioned in this article, through the JCI-accredited organisations search tool.
Find out More
To find out more about the process of accreditation, check out the JCI’s website.
To learn more about expat life in the Middle East, check out our moving to the Middle East guide.
