The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) yesterday launched a new magazine, Qatar Health, aimed at highlighting the advances being made in Qatar’s health sector.
The magazine launch is within the SCH policies to raise awareness and to fulfil the targets of the National Health Strategy (NHS) 2011-2016.
The first issue features an interview with Minister of Health and SCH Secretary General HE Abdulla bin Khalid al-Qahtani, who spoke on the transformation of healthcare in Qatar.
He also mentioned the SCH’s significant achievements in the implementation of NHS as a point of departure to meet the future needs of health system.
Commenting on the transformation expected in the sector within the next 10 years, al-Qahtani said: “Healthcare in Qatar will meet, and I would hope exceed, the very highest international standards. Our health facilities will be world-class, staffed by world-class professionals, and there will be affordable access to services for everyone in Qatar, including the many visitors to our country during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”
The minister added that more than offering high-levels of care, Qatar will also be a valued participant in the international healthcare community, conducting research that adds to the world’s knowledge of health issues and creating innovative solutions that will be respected and adopted worldwide.
Jassim Ibrahim Fakhroo, communication and media director at SCH, said that since its creation in 2009, SCH has analysed every aspect of health in Qatar, and is drawing on the best local expertise to create a system that matches, or exceeds, the best standards in the world.
He added: “Many of the articles in Qatar Health focus on policy and how the changes in healthcare will affect the community’s well-being, not just in improving the treatment available, but also by empowering people to take charge of their own health.”
Qatar Health is being distributed to key stakeholders within Qatar.
The magazine also includes reports, interviews, and articles which highlight the National Health Strategy, the Social Health Insurance Scheme, lifestyle diseases, outbreak planning, patient safety, and health infrastructure.
It also sheds light on the 39 projects being implemented as part of the National Health Strategy, through interviews and discussions with the leaders and experts implementing change in the sector.
Qatar Health also includes an interview entitled: “Paying the Price of Affluence” with SCH health promotion and non-communicable diseases manager Dr Sheikha Al-Anoud bint Mohamad al-Thani, who spoke about the diseases caused by bad habits.
SCH health insurance manager Hussein Reka said that the magazine features the latest updates on the social health
insurance scheme.