Doha: Qatar Reads, a national initiative under Qatar National Library, has announced the launch of a new research-driven initiative under its "Parents-to-Be" Programme, in collaboration with the Women's Wellness and Research Center at Hamad Medical Corporation and Hamad Bin Khalifa University as research partner.

At the heart of the programme is the Parents-to-Be kit, a curated reading package developed to support expectant mothers throughout pregnancy and the early stages of their child's life. The kit includes books for both parents and newborns, designed to nurture emotional connection, encourage early learning, and instil a love of reading that begins even before birth. The kits are offered in both Arabic and English and are aimed at pregnant women in their third trimester visiting the WWRC.

Manager of Qatar Reads, Fatema Al Malki, said: "Through the Parents-to-Be Programme, we are extending the impact of reading to one of the most formative stages of life. This initiative reflects our belief that the foundations of literacy and emotional connection begin early, even before a child is born."

Assistant Professor Dr. Hira Amin from HBKU said the collaboration represents an important step in bridging research and community-based initiatives. Chief of Patient Experience at HMC and Director of Hamad Healthcare Quality Institute, Nasser Al Naimi, said the initiative will strengthen the antenatal pathway and advance the person-centred approach to healthcare.

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