HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari said that the National Day is an occasion to highlight the progress of Qatar and to look forward to a brighter future under the wise leadership of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the occasion of Qatar’s National Day, the Minister said that marking the National Day this year has a special importance as it comes under the unjust siege, in addition to its national significance to express love and loyalty to the homeland and the leadership. She highlighted the slogan of this year’s celebration ‘Promise to Prosperity and Glory’ which summarises the ambition and the vision of the wise leadership and focuses on the great progress the country has achieved.
Dr al-Kuwari said that Qatar aspires to further achievements, progress and glory, confirming that the development the country has seen in the recent decades makes it a global role model. “The State has been achieving continuous progress in all sectors of development, including oil and gas industry, supported by a disciplined and skilled work force, in addition to recognisable development in other sectors such as health, education, sports and tourism,” the Minister said.
Speaking about the unfair and unjustified siege imposed on Qatar, Dr al-Kuwari expressed pride over the wise management of the current difficult stage led by His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, which was recognised and respected by the whole world.
She added that the manner in which all the people of the country dealt with the crisis, following the good example of His Highness the Emir, had a great impact on the progress of normal life and businesses under siege, thus helping the country continue its march of progress and prosperity.
The Ministry of Public Health has accomplished many achievements and progress in 2017. The ministry continued to expanding the capacity of the health system in the country through the opening of new services and facilities. Hamad Medical Corporation opened four new hospitals: the Communicable Disease Center, Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, the Women’s Wellness and Research Center (WWRC) and the Day Care Center. In addition, the corporation opened new specialised services and facilities, including the Breast Cancer Screening Clinic and the National Obesity Treatment Center.
Meanwhile, since the opening of its first clinic in May 2016, Sidra Medicine has also been expanding its chain of clinics and is now preparing to receive inpatient patients early next year, enhancing the capacity and the ability to provide advanced care for women and children.
In 2015-2016, the Primary Health Care Corporation opened six new health centres and is preparing to open four more in 2018. More efforts have been made to focus on health promotion and disease prevention services. It has also expanded its breast and intestinal cancer screening services (SMART), which examines people for health risk factors and refers them to health improvement programmes and personal care plans. At the end of the year, these services will become a reality in all health centres.
In the coming years, the Ministry of Public Health aims to guide care throughout Qatar’s health system through a series of new strategies developed by the ministry.
This year, the Ministry of Public Health launched the National Cancer Framework 2017-2022 and the National Autism Plan 2017-2021, in addition to Qatar Public Health Strategy 2017-2022 which was announced as part of a national survey to engage the public, and builds on the achievements of the National Health Strategy 2011-2016.
HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari
