National Day- Health Sector In Qatar Witnessing Major Positive Changes

Doha, December 14 (QNA) - The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) has always been seeking to realize the themes of Health For All and Medical Service is Humanitarian Duty. In this sense, the Ministry together with SCH have devoted all their efforts for the health care of Qatar's citizens and residents, sparing no effort to achieve the ultimate goal of good public health. To achieve these noble goals the health sector in the State of Qatar witnessed during the years 2012 -2013 many great changes that have contributed positively to improving the quality of health services provided to patients. In order to improve the health care system in the state, several strategies and projects were launched and a number of hospitals and health centers were opened. The National Strategy for Primary Health Care (2013 - 2018), was launched with the aim of improving primary health care services during the next five years, which is considered to be the cornerstone of the changes that will occur on the health care system. The establishment Food Safety Authority was approved in May 2012. it is to be under the supervision of the Minister of Public Health. The master plan for health care facilities was prepared in accordance with a strategic plan for 2033 and an operational plan for 2018. The National Advisory Committee, for the development of human resources for health sector, was established with representation form health care service providers and health education and training centres. In addition, the National Strategy for the Prevention of Blindness 2014 - 2019 was developed in collaboration with the World Health Organization , and the draft for establishing the National Commission for combating diabetes was prepared. An Emiri Decision was issued in March 2013 for the establishment of the Qatari Council for Medical Specializations, which is intended to set the regulations and standards for practicing the medicine in the State of Qatar. Implementing the project of performance level agreement between the SCH and the health care service providers was started with the formation of a national supervisory committee to contribute to the development and implementation all the project's phases. With regard to the development of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and enlargements of its facilities HH the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani inaugurated two hospitals during the year 2012, namely the Cuban hospital in Dukhan and Al-Wakra Hospital. Both hospitals provide health care services for the growing population in their surrounding areas. The month of July 2013 witnessed the official opening of the Diabetes Specialist Centre, which includes multiple medical specialties and was founded in order to provide all the clinical health care services needed by diabetes patients. HMC has made significant progress in the number of organ transplant operations within the state. It has also become first medical establishment in the Middle East to receives the institutional accreditation from the American Board of Medical Specialties, making Qatar the first country in the Middle East and the second country outside the United States to receive this prestigious accreditation, and confirming its commitment to the highest criteria adopted in the specialized medical training programs. Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has entered into a strategic agreement with the Institute of health care development , under which the institute along with the staff of HMC will study new and innovative ways that contribute to improving the patient experience and quality of health care provided by hospitals. Regarding the future expansion, a new hospital for women will be inaugurated in addition to a hospital for mobile medical services and minor surgery and a rehabilitation hospital in the Hamad bin Khalifa Medical City in 2014. Among the achievements of the health and medical sector in Qatar during 2012 is the publishing of the first issue of (Qatar Health) magazine of the Supreme Council of Health. It is concerned with health and awareness issues, it also sheds light on all developments in the health sector in the state. With regard to regional and international cooperation between health and medical institutions in the country and their counterparts abroad, coordination was done with the Executive Office of the Council of Ministers of Health of the GCC countries on the development of Gulf Health Library which contains all of the health-related releases issued by the GCC countries. The Executive Office of the Council of Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council Health has approved Qatar's proposal for a Gulf health awareness week under the name of "Health Promotion Week", which is to be held annually under different themes. With respect to future projects, work is underway for the implementation of 29 projects included in the National Health Strategy 2011-2016 according to a specific timetable. these projects are expected to contribute to improving the health and well-being of the population and creating a strong, productive and a healthy community. The Ministry of Health and the Supreme Council of Health put on their future agenda the planning for the construction of nine new hospitals and 18 centers for primary health care. (END)