The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) plans to introduce mandatory annual oral screenings for students and transition parental consent forms to a digital system, which will streamline procedures and enhance service efficiency, PHCC executive director for preventative health Dr Hamad al-Mudhahka has said.The Oral Health Promotion and Prevention Department, he said, has made significant strides, including expanding the Asnani School Oral Health Programme to reach tens of thousands of students.The department also launched the Oral Health Ambassadors Programme to empower educational staff and promote health awareness among students.Dr al-Mudhahka highlighted the department’s achievements in 2024, which reflect the PHCC’s steadfast commitment to public health and community well-being.He noted that various divisions within the department have continued to develop preventive programmes and enhance early detection efforts, ultimately improving healthcare services and ensuring accessibility for a larger segment of society.Additionally, Dr al-Mudhahka said, large-scale community outreach events were conducted in collaboration with various national organisations, featuring awareness programmes during the National Sport Day, Qatar National Day, Hajj season, and World Diabetes Day.He added that these initiatives reinforced the link between oral health and overall well-being."The National Breast and Bowel Cancer Screening Programmes witnessed a year of success, with impactful awareness campaigns such as the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Campaign in March and Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign in October,” Dr al-Mudhahka stated. "These initiatives gained widespread community engagement and significantly increased early screening rates.”To enhance patient experience, the PHCC introduced modern communication tools, including educational videos and updated brochures.Additionally, the launch of electronic registration facilitated access for thousands of individuals seeking cancer screenings.One of the most notable advancements was the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to assist radiologists in interpreting medical images, improving diagnostic accuracy and screening quality.Specialised training programmes were implemented to enhance healthcare professionals’ expertise and ensure the adoption of the latest medical practices.Dr al-Mudhahka emphasised that the HCC’s Infection Prevention and Control team made significant progress in 2024.Through innovative solutions and evidence-based practices, the team successfully integrated infection control measures into daily operations across all health centres, ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and visitors.The team recommended strengthening health protection measures through advanced hand hygiene initiatives, utilisation of digital tools for infection surveillance, and enhanced antimicrobial resistance management programmes.These efforts established new benchmarks for excellence in healthcare safety, reinforcing the PHCC’s commitment to maintaining the highest health protection standards and ensuring a healthier, safer future for all.Dr al-Mudhahka praised the achievements of Wellness Programmes in 2024, which played a crucial role in promoting preventative health and empowering individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles.The programme aimed to improve quality of life by expanding clinical and community services.Key milestones included the expansion of smoking cessation clinics to 17 health centres, the launch of the "TASMU” Smoking Cessation App, the introduction of lifestyle clinics and group fitness sessions, and the endorsement of a postnatal maternal care programme to support new mothers.On the community level, the Healthy Schools Programme expanded to 40 schools, a Healthy Living Hub was launched in universities, and women’s and elderly health programmes were further strengthened.
March 05, 2025 | 12:08 AM