Minister of Public Health Confirms Success of the National Cancer Strategy

Doha, May 31 (QNA) - HE Minister of Public Health Dr. Hanan Al Kuwari has confirmed the success of Qatar's National Cancer Strategy (2011-2016), noting that since the launch of the strategy five years ago, the State of Qatar has witnessed tremendous changes in the way the discovery, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Patients today can receive the treatment in Qatar by some of the best specialists who use world-class technologies and techniques, HE the Minister of Public Health said in a statement while attending the National Cancer Strategy Review Deliberative Forum. HE the Minister urged to continue the march of development in line with the best international practices. She called for raising awareness among the public to learn about the signs and symptoms of cancer, and to promote investments in cancer research in order to provide the best treatments possible for the people of Qatar. For his part, Professor the Lord Darzi of Denham, Chair of the Qatar National Cancer Committee, expressed his pride for the hard work done by everyone to accomplish a lot within the last five years since the launch of the strategy. He said that the growth and evolution of the processes and pathways for cancer care was exceptional, which is not possible without the commitment and dedication shown by everyone and their representatives in this event. He underlined that the State of Qatar has the right to be proud of its achievements in this regard, stressing that Qatar will become very soon among world leaders and a role model for all in the field of cancer care. Meanwhile, Director General of the Primary Health Care Corporation Dr. Mariam Abdul Malik underlined that the continued development of cancer screening programs in health care centers comes on top of the priorities of Qatar. She noted that efforts have been exerted to raise awareness among the public about breast and bowel cancer, and the benefits of early screening in saving lives, pointing out to the launch of new initiatives and activities in order to reach a larger segment. The forum highlighted the most prominent achievements made through the National Caner Strategy in the past five years, including outreach and public education program of cancer, the emergence of new roles in cancer care services, such as coordinators of care pathways for patients and specialists. The most important strategic achievements also included screening for breast and bowel cancer for the population in Qatar, and set up the immediate referral system of patients with suspected cancer, besides the opening of intensive care and pain relief at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research. The Forum included discussions with representatives of cancer care society, and a questionnaire conducted with the audience to discover the main issues of concern and what to look forward to in the future. The results of the discussions and views presented during the Forum and the data received from various sectors of the health system will be used to develop a framework for the next five years (2017-2022). (QNA)