New centre to be hub of cancer awareness, training

The new cancer awareness centre, opened by the Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) recently, will act as a hub of training and awareness about cancer in the country.

“The Ooredoo Cancer Awareness Centre will provide training for the healthcare providers in the country and psychological support to the patients and caregivers," said Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jabor al-Thani, chairman of QCS.A training session has already been conducted for a group of nurses from the Primary Health Care Corporation, he said while pointing out that the new centre enjoys an excellent relationship with the other stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Public Health, and Hamad Medical Corporation.“Now we are part of all the leading programmes in cancer awareness and all the healthcare facilities in the country are part of us too. We will sign a few more agreements with some more entities soon. Once it is all done, we will announce the details of how the programmes will be conducted at the centre,” the QCS chairman said, adding that there will be direct programmes for the community members.Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad al–Thani, director, public health at the Ministry of Public Health, said that the new centre is a perfect example of private public partnership (PPP).“From the ministry, we are extending all the support for the initiative and Ooredoo is providing the financial support from the private sector and QCS, a charitable society, is carrying out all the action. We hope that Qatar will continue the PPP partnership in its fight against cancer with more programmes.”The Ooredoo Cancer Awareness Centre includes classrooms and halls for workshops for adults and children, an auditorium, lecture hall, healthy kitchen, library as well a scientific exhibition area.The facility is designed and built with Ooredoo’s Supernet technology and will focus on the importance of a healthy lifestyle, both physically and nutritionally. There is a digital library with the latest medical sources and provides a scientific exhibition on cancer cells as well as on different types of cancers.The centre also supports cancer survivors and patients and will also hold specialised workshops for psychosocial care.