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The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) announced the expansion of its 24-hour urgent care services for adults and children with the addition of Al Waab Health Center to its network of health centers offering this service.With the addition of Al Waab Health Center, the number of 24-hour urgent care centers for adults has risen to 16, while the number of 24-hour urgent care centers for children has reached 11, distributed across the PHCC network.Urgent care services for adults are currently provided at the following centers: Al Ruwais, Umm Salal, Muaither, Al Mashaf, Al Sadd, Gharafa Al Rayyan, Al Shahaniya, Abu Bakr Al Siddiq, Rawdat Al Khail, Al Kaaban, Al Karaana, Leabaib, Al Wajba, Al Thumama, Al Khor, and Al Waab.The urgent care centers for children include those in Al Ruwais, Umm Salal, Muaither, Al Mashaf, Al Sadd, Leabaib, Al Wajba, Al Thumama, Al Khor, Rawdat Al Khail, and Al Waab.These centers provide timely assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for urgent, non-emergency, and non-life-threatening cases for patients requiring immediate care, regardless of their registered health center.This expansion supports PHCC's commitment to enhancing access to urgent care services and improving its capacity to meet the growing demand for these services across Qatar.

Primary health centers operating on a rotating basis received over 18,700 patients during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, with more than 1,000 virtual medical consultations provided through the 16000 hotline, announced Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC). Family medicine clinics at the 21 health centers that operated during the Eid Al-Adha holiday served approximately 7,255 patients, while general dental clinics received 888 patients. The number of cases received at the urgent care units in 15 health centers reached 8,566. The PHCC explained that the health centers also provided specialized clinic services during the holiday, including ophthalmology, otolaryngology (ENT), dermatology, premarital screening, optometry, mental health, and physiotherapy services, in addition to pharmacy, radiology, and laboratory services. The ophthalmology clinic received 235 patients, the ENT clinic 216, and the dermatology clinic 224. The optometry clinic saw 166 patients, while the mental health and integrated mental health clinics received 24. Physiotherapy services were provided to 191 patients, and the premarital screening clinic received 23 patients.PHCC's Community Call Center provided approximately 1,032 virtual medical consultations (both video and voice) to patients who contacted the 16000 hotline without prior appointments. This type of consultation ensures that patients with urgent cases receive the necessary medical care and are prescribed medications by a specialist as quickly as possible.The Primary Health Care Corporation emphasized that all health centers are committed to providing healthcare services without delay, especially during holidays and seasonal breaks, and to fully meeting the needs of all patients.

 As part of a nationwide public healthcare awareness campaign led by the Ministry of Public Health, Primary Health Care Corporation, and Hamad Medical Corporation, PHCC is spotlighting the critical role of urgent care services in Qatar’s healthcare system. The initiative aims to help residents access the right care, in the right place, at the right time.Urgent care services are designed to support patients with urgent but non-life-threatening medical conditions, helping them access timely treatment in their community while supporting the efficient operation of hospital emergency departments. By strengthening public understanding of urgent care services, the campaign encourages informed decision-making and promotes the appropriate use of healthcare resources across the system.PHCC plays a central role in delivering urgent care across Qatar through a network of 14 health centres, with 15 soon to be operational, providing 24-hour urgent care services nationwide. These services are available to patients registered at any PHCC health centre and are delivered within the scope of primary care, ensuring accessible, safe, and high-quality care for urgent medical needs. As part of the continued expansion of services, Al Khor Health Centre will begin delivering urgent care services for both adults and paediatrics, effective 21 May 2026. In addition, paediatric urgent care services will be introduced at Rawdat Al Khail Health Centre from the same date.With this expansion, PHCC now operates adult urgent care services across 15 health centres: Al Kaaban, Gharafat Al Rayyan, Al Sheehaniya, Al Ruwais, Abu Baker Al Siddiq, Umm Slal, Muaither, Rawdat Al Khail, Al Mashaf, Al Sadd, Leabaib, Al Wajbah, Al Thumama, Al Karaana, and Al Khor, with services at Al Khor becoming effective from May 21.Paediatric urgent care services are currently available at 10 health centres, including Al Ruwais, Muaither, Umm Salal, Leabaib, Al Mashaf, Al Wajbah, Al Thumama, Al Sadd, Rawdat Al Khail, and Al Khor, with services at Rawdat Al Khail and Al Khor effective from May 21.PHCC urgent care units are equipped to assess and manage a wide range of non-life-threatening conditions, including minor burns, sprains, severe headaches or earaches, high fevers, dehydration, and dizziness. Where a patient presents with a condition requiring higher-level care, PHCC urgent care teams provide immediate stabilisation and co-ordinate a prompt ambulance transfer to secondary care facilities, ensuring continuity of care and patient safety.The availability of round-the-clock urgent care within PHCC health centres supports consistent access to medical services within the community and reduces unnecessary visits to hospital emergency departments for conditions that can be managed safely and effectively in a primary care setting. This approach improves patient flow across the healthcare system and allows emergency departments to remain focused on critical and life-saving cases.In addition to in-person services, PHCC offers an Urgent Consultation Service by telephone, available seven days a week from 7am to 11pm. By calling 16000, selecting PHCC, and choosing option 2, patients can speak to a clinician for guidance and advice on the most appropriate next steps for their condition, further supporting informed use of urgent and emergency care services. Between 11pm-7am, a nurse led telephone triage service operates daily to ensure continuous support. The service offers both routine and urgent medical consultations, as well as ophthalmology services, via telephone and video.HMC also provides support to the community of Qatar through an Urgent Care Consultation Service, which enables members of the public to speak directly with a physician by telephone. Available Sunday to Thursday from 8am to 3pm by calling 16000 and selecting option 3, the service helps guide patients to the appropriate specialty or level of care.Through this coordinated campaign, MoPH, HMC, and PHCC continue to reinforce the importance of understanding urgent care services, how to access them, and when to use them. Strengthening awareness of urgent care supports better patient experiences, enhances access to timely care within the community, and contributes to a more efficient and sustainable healthcare system for Qatar.Dr Samya Abdulla, assistant managing director – Operations and Clinical Affairs at PHCC, said:“Urgent care services are a vital part of our community-based healthcare model. Through PHCC’s 24-hour urgent care services across our health centres, we ensure patients with urgent but non-life-threatening conditions receive timely, high-quality care close to home. This supports better patient flow across the health system and allows emergency departments to focus on the most critical cases.” **media[449064]** 

The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has affirmed that the Family Medicine Model (FMM), being applied in all 31 health centres, has largely helped improve the quality of services and enhance the prevention and early detection of diseases. The corporation stressed the critical role undertaken by family physicians as the core elements of strengthening the health of both individuals and societies. As such, the PHCC marks the World Family Doctor Day 2026 annually on May 19, with this year’s the motto of “Compassionate Care in a Digital World” spotlighting the significance of leveraging digital transformation technologies in providing primary medical care. PHCC Assistant Director-General for Operations and Clinical Affairs Dr Samia Ahmed al-Abdullah said that family medicine is the core pillar for primary healthcare thanks to the comprehensive and combined service it offers to all family members. This model, she said, has been operating in all centres since 2013. Dr al-Abdullah added that the role of family physicians goes beyond diagnosing and treating diseases to encompass forging a relationship with patients and their families alike, suggesting that this kind of relation helps physicians understand more deeply the health, genetic, and social history of families. This kind of relationship, she added, is positively reflected on the quality of provided healthcare and prompts rapid medical intervention when needed. Dr al-Abdullah emphasised that this model focuses on prevention before treatment through periodic medical tests, vaccinations, and early detection of chronic diseases and cancers. She said that the model likewise strengthens health awareness as well as proper lifestyles, with family physicians persistently monitoring cases of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular illnesses, adding that this modus operandi helps reduce complications and improve patients’ quality of life. The Family Medicine Model, Dr al-Abdullah continued, significantly contributes to providing medical and behavioural counseling, as well as mental health support services, and the identification of family history and hereditary disease risk, helping in the prevention of genetic and chronic diseases and the development of appropriate treatment plans. She further noted that the model helps reduce the pressure on hospitals that are crowded with overwhelming numbers of patients, as well as unnecessary referrals, by providing combined healthcare inside clinics.This year’s World Family Doctor Day motto, Dr al-Abdullah said, underscores the PHCC’s pivot toward enhancing digital health services with a particular emphasis on preserving the humanitarian aspect when it comes to the relationship between physician and patient. – QNA 

The Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (DLMP) has achieved simultaneous reaccreditation of its laboratories by both the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB). The formal CAP reaccreditation, awarded in March, and AABB reaccreditation, granted last month, followed intensive and co-ordinated inspections conducted in February.“This dual re-accreditation is a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment of our DLMP teams across all divisions,” said department head Dr Einas al-Kuwari. The CAP lead inspector highlighted both the uniqueness and scale of the department’s achievement, stating that the HMC’s quality management system was among the most extensive he had ever seen.Meanwhhile the AABB inspectors confirmed full compliance with international transfusion medicine and biotherapy standards. Across the DLMP, accreditation readiness was demonstrated through compliance with 16,455 CAP standards and 479 AABB standards, supported by a comprehensive and integrated quality governance framework that includes 16 Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) indicators, 60 Quality and Patient Safety (QPS) indicators, 13 International Patient Safety Goals (IPSG) indicators, and 207 sectional indicators.  

Sidra Medicine has expanded its paediatric sleep services, significantly reducing waiting times for sleep laboratory appointments from several months to just a few weeks, Dr Amal al-Nuaimi, senior consultant in Pediatric Pulmonology and director of the Sleep Laboratory at Sidra Medicine, has revealed. Dr al-Nuaimi said the expansion was introduced to accommodate a growing number of children in Qatar requiring specialised diagnosis and treatment for sleep disorders.As part of the initiative, the number of weekly sleep clinics has been increased to three, in addition to two specialised clinics each month and a weekly clinic for respiratory support devices. The expansion brings the total number of clinics to 18 per month, serving more than 700 patients annually. Additionally, the number of rooms in the sleep laboratory has increased, enabling the facility to accommodate nearly 1,000 patients every year. Dr al-Nuaimi explained that the Sleep Disorders Centre at Sidra Medicine is the only specialised paediatric sleep centre in Qatar dedicated to diagnosing and treating sleep disorders in children. The centre providescomprehensive assessments and individualised treatment plans tailored to each patient’s condition. Children referred to the sleep clinic first undergo a full clinical evaluation, after which specialists determine whether a sleep study is required and prioritise appointments based on case severity. She stressed that the department is committed to conducting examinations as quickly as possible to meet the patients’ medical needs, noting that management efforts have successfully reduced waiting periods for sleep studies from months to only a few weeks. Dr al-Nuaimi explained that paediatric sleep disorders vary widely in severity, ranging from simple snoring to severe airway obstruction during sleep. She also noted several warning signs parents should watch for, including loud, frequent snoring; repeated awakenings due to interrupted breathing; excessive daytime sleepiness; poor concentration; declining academic performance; and increased irritability in children. In the meantime, Dr al-Nuaimi noted that global rates of paediatric sleep disorders range between 2% and 5%, but rise dramatically to nearly 60% among children with obesity. She added that these rates are rising due to modern lifestyle patterns, a trend also evident in Qatar. In response, Sidra Medicine has launched a specialised clinic that combines obesity management and sleep disorder treatment to ensure patients receive integrated, science-based care. Dr al-Nuaimi explained that patients are admitted to a fully equipped sleep laboratory room for the diagnostic procedures, where specialists monitor vital indicators such as blood oxygen levels, carbon dioxide levels, and breathing patterns to accurately diagnose sleep conditions. Sidra Medicine utilises advanced sleep monitoring technologies, including sophisticated polysomnography systems that record brain activity, sleep stages, eye and muscle movements, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, heart rate, and limb movements. These technologies help physicians reach precise diagnoses and develop appropriate treatment plans. She stressed the importance of maintaining a regular sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleeping environment, following a calming bedtime routine, avoiding stimulants and heavy meals before bedtime, and limiting screen exposure for at least one hour before sleep. She also outlined Sidra Medicine’s future plans to further advance paediatric sleep medicine, including raising public awareness about the importance of healthy sleep and its impact on growth and academic achievement, as well as educating paediatricians on the importance of early detection of sleep disorders. Further, there is an ongoing collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation and regional specialised centres in both clinical services and research. Sidra Medicine has launched a paediatric sleep medicine training programme attracting physicians from within Qatar and abroad, supporting the centre’s development as a leading scientific and medical institution in the region. 

 The Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) recorded significant progress in healthcare development and patient services during 2025, according to its latest annual achievements report.The report highlighted major advances in clinical care, digital transformation, operational efficiency, and public access to medical services across Qatar.Introducing the report, HMC director-general Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Suwaidi described 2025 as a milestone year for the institution, stressing its continued role as Qatar’s leading provider of specialised healthcare services.He said that the HMC remained focused on expanding access to care, improving operational efficiency, and delivering patient-centred healthcare that meets society's evolving needs.The report outlines achievements in institutional performance, clinical development, digital innovation, and sustainability initiatives aligned with the Third National Development Strategy and the National Health Strategy.It also revealed strong growth in most healthcare indicators in 2025 compared to the previous year, reflecting rising demand for medical services and continued expansion in the healthcare sector.According to the report, inpatient admissions rose by 4% in 2025, reaching 159,109 cases, up from 152,741 in 2024.Surgical operations recorded even stronger growth, increasing by 11% to 80,218 procedures, up from 72,485 operations the previous year.Birth rates within HMC facilities also increased by 2%, with 28,464 deliveries recorded in 2025 compared to 27,822 in 2024.Emergency services experienced substantial growth as well.Adult emergency departments registered a 12% increase in visits, receiving 974,268 patients in 2025 compared to 869,230 the year before.In contrast, paediatric emergency centres saw a 7% decline in visits, with a total of 583,864 patients, down from 627,586 in 2024.Outpatient clinics across all specialties handled more than 3mn patient visits in 2025, marking an 8% increase from 2.86mn visits in 2024.Therapeutic procedures conducted in outpatient clinics also climbed by 11%, reaching 257,968 procedures.Telemedicine consultations declined by 14%, with 220,278 remote consultations recorded in 2025 compared to 256,277 during 2024, reflecting a broader return to in-person healthcare services.The report highlighted major increases in clinical support services.Laboratory testing rose by 8%, surpassing 26.4mn tests in 2025, while medical imaging procedures increased by 6% to more than 1.05mn scans.Pharmaceutical services also expanded, with nearly 9mn prescriptions dispensed during the year, a 5% increase compared to 2024.Ambulance transport operations recorded a 2% rise, reaching 210,676 cases in 2025, while emergency call volumes climbed to 310,101 calls compared to 287,838 calls the previous year.The helicopter ambulance missions remained relatively stable, recording 2,057 cases.One of the report’s key findings was the significant improvement in patient access to outpatient services.Among the top 20 medical specialties, 75% of Qatari patients were able to secure appointments within two weeks, with an average waiting period of 15 days.This represented a 32% improvement compared to 2024 in the number of patients seen within the targeted timeframe.The improvements were achieved through more efficient use of workforce resources and clinic spaces, expanded evening clinic operations in selected specialties, and targeted efforts to reduce missed appointments.The introduction of automatic cancellation policies for repeated no-shows and the adoption of strategic overbooking practices helped improve appointment availability and maximise clinic efficiency.The no-show rate stood at 13% in 2025, while controlled overbooking averaged 16%.These measures contributed to a dramatic reduction in waiting lists for Qatari patients, with pending appointments dropping from 16,654 in 2024 to just 849 in 2025.The report further showcased groundbreaking medical achievements that marked firsts for Qatar’s healthcare sector.Among the most notable milestones was the country’s first-ever heart transplant surgery, successfully performed at Heart Hospital.The operation represented a major advancement in cardiac care and was carried out by a multidisciplinary team involving specialists in surgery, cardiology, anaesthesia, intensive care, nursing, infectious diseases, nephrology, pathology, rehabilitation, psychiatry, and social services.The HMC performed Qatar’s first total ankle replacement surgery, representing a major development in orthopaedic medicine and offering renewed mobility for patients suffering from severe joint damage.Officials said that the achievement reflected the adoption of advanced surgical technologies and the continuous development of specialised medical expertise.Accordingly, during 2025, the HMC received several prestigious international awards and recognitions.The National Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolic Diseases Institute received a global leadership award for combating obesity during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.The corporation’s Extracorporeal Life Support Programme was honoured with an excellence award from Extracorporeal Life Support Organisation for Southwest Asia and Africa, while the HMC secured a prestigious Digital Innovation Award at the Google Cloud Summit.In addition, the World Health Organisation (WHO) renewed accreditation for the HMC’s Smoking Cessation Centre, and the corporation won an international Healthy Workplace Award, further cementing its growing reputation as a regional leader in healthcare excellence and innovation. 

The sixth International Primary Health Care Conference (IPHCC) started Thursday in the presence of His Excellency Mansoor bin Ebrahim al-Mahmoud at the Ritz Carlton Doha exploring the latest advancements and innovations in primary health care. A large number of dignitaries and officials as well as international experts and speakers took part in the opening session of the conference. The three day conference organised by the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) with the theme ‘Inspiring Tomorrow; The Power of Collaboration in Primary Health Care’ is exploring many of the current topics and the advancements of technology in primary health care sector. About 1,000 experts, speakers, doctors, speakers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, educators, students, and stakeholders from across the globe are sharing their knowledge and best practices in primary health care over the course of the conference. Speaking at the opening session, Dr Mariam Abdul Malik, managing director of the PHCC said that the conference is an embodiment of Qatar’s firm commitment to developing the health sector. “Primary health care in Qatar has become an advanced model at the regional and international levels, thanks to the strategic investment in human health and the building of an integrated system that provides high-quality preventive, curative and rehabilitative services in a safe and competitive environment.” she explained. Dr Abdul Malik highlighted that everyone in Qatar enjoys an advanced health system and what has been achieved in terms of healthcare services is clearly reflected in the satisfaction of community members and visitors to health centres, with visitors' satisfaction level reaching above 80% in the recent surveys. “This conference is not just a scientific event, but a platform that stimulates creativity, inspires health work teams to share knowledge and experiences, and explore innovative solutions that contribute to establishing a more prepared, flexible and sustainable health system for a healthier and more prosperous tomorrow for the nation and society,” she added. Speaking at the opening session, Prof Lord Ara Darzi, co-director, Imperial College London and the executive chair of the World Innovation Summit for Health highlighted the huge advancements made by Qatar in healthcare and praised the country for its vision. He said: “ Primary care is the bedrock, the unshakeable foundation upon which all resilient health systems are built. It is the centre of trust, continuity, and human connection that cannot be outsourced or automated. This is not about episodic interventions. It is about generational care.” After the opening session, the Minister of Public Health along with other dignitaries toured the exhibition accompanying the conference. A lot of healthcare professionals, including local and international companies, providers of medical services, supplies and devices, are participating in the exhibition to showcase their latest innovations in the healthcare sector, along with various educational and technological entities. The conference showcases a wide range of advanced topics in primary healthcare through panel discussions and workshops led by a select group of international speakers and experts. It will also provide researchers with an opportunity to present their research and the findings of recent studies that can be applied to improving primary healthcare services both within Qatar and internationally. 

The Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) launched Thursday the 3rd edition of its annual scientific conference, which will last for three days, under the title "Musculoskeletal/Neurological Disorders and Pain Management in Primary Health Care".The opening day of the conference was attended by His Excellency Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad al-Mahmoud, His Excellency Director of the Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention Programs Department at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani, His Excellency QRCS Secretary-General Faisal Mohamed al-Emadi, QRCS members of the Board of Directors and Secretary-General Assistants.In his opening remarks, His Excellency QRCS President Yousef bin Ali al-Khater said that the conference brings together a group of experts and specialists from various health institutions in the country, who meet together under one roof for three days to discuss and debate the most important topics and issues in the medical field and exchange experiences and information that contribute to improving the level of medical service provided to the public and responding to the latest developments in medical work and its changing challenges.He added that the conference's status is becoming more established year after year as an annual scientific forum that brings together the best professionals in Qatar who carry the noble message of medicine and dedicate themselves day and night to serving humanity and preserving the health and well-being of society. He noted that in each edition of the conference, success is established, interest expands, and the added value that the conference represents for the medical sector and all those working in it is confirmed.He also highlighted the success of QRCS in obtaining accreditation as an educational organization for continuing professional development for five years, after fulfilling all the standards and conditions applied by the MoPH's Department of Health Specialties - Accreditation and Medical Education Department. He noted that this achievement not only represents another milestone in the long history of QRCS, but also a living embodiment of the strategic partnership with the MoPH, through the QRCS's management and operation of workers' health centers for fifteen years.He expressed his pride in the QRCS having the second largest ambulance fleet in the country, in addition to an integrated center for training, research and development. In turn, Director of Training, Research, and Development Center at QRCS and Chairman of the Conference Ghanem Salman al-Sulaiti said that this year’s conference focuses on the topic of "Musculoskeletal/Neurological Disorders and Pain Management in Primary Health Care" because the increasing burden of musculoskeletal and neurological diseases requires a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.He indicated that approximately 242mn people worldwide suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, and that around 200mn women worldwide suffer from osteoporosis. He also pointed out that multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease are common neurological diseases affecting millions of people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.He noted that the conference discusses the latest developments in the field of musculoskeletal and neurological disorders and pain management, and reviews best practices and the latest research in this field. The conference enjoys a strategic partnership with the MoPH, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), in addition to Servier Medical Company as a representative of the private sector.The conference agenda is divided into four components: pre-conference workshops, the main conference track, a parallel track for pharmacists, and a parallel track for physiotherapy and rehabilitation practitioners. The agenda comprises 61 sessions presented by 58 speakers and moderated by 35 facilitators from various healthcare providers across the country.

The 6th International Primary Health Care Conference (IPHCC)-Qatar 2025 is set to be organised from November 27 to 29, 2025, under the theme: “Inspiring Tomorrow: The Power of Collaboration in Primary Health Care”.Assistant Managing Director of Quality & Workforce Development, Dr Zelaikha Mohsin al-Wahedi, said the conference embodies Qatar’s prestigious standing in advancing the health sector and its sustainability and competence.This convention is part of a chain reaction of initiatives stemming from the national vision that places human health at the core of development priorities and underscores the importance of building a health system based on knowledge, prevention, and innovation, al-Wahedi highlighted.She further noted that over 1,000 experts including academics, and medical practitioners hailing from various countries around the world, representing elite global research and medical institutions, will attend this year’s conference – a testament to the enhanced confidence in PHCC as a leading scientific hub, and the incredible success of previously convened conferences in deepening its standing as a platform for scientific dialogue and sharing trailblazing global experiences in the field of primary healthcare.This year’s themes have addressed the rapid global evolution in the health sector and will primarily focus on AI applications, innovation in medical education, and emerging technologies, as well as their role in raising the efficiency of health services and optimising the experience of patients and visitors, al-Wahedi noted.She further indicated that this orientation aligns with the nation’s efforts in moving toward digital transformation in this sector, in PHCC’s pursuit to merge technology with daily practices to ensure high-quality and integrated care.She pointed out that the conference is not merely designed for scientific sessions, but also positions itself as a platform to boost collaboration and partnerships among domestic and international organisations, whether in terms of training, research, or capacity-building.The scientific programme of this event is poised to be structured into professional sessions convening domestic and international speakers, covering a wide spectrum of contemporary health issues that will address strategic subjects, she highlighted.These subjects, al-Wahedi said, include scientific research and its applications in clinical practice, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in healthcare, quality and patient safety, ethics and law in healthcare, inter-professional practice and collaboration, preventive care, priority populations such as older adults, children, and women, and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).This is alongside key lectures to be delivered by international speakers to address the future of primary healthcare and collaboration in enhancing preventive services, along with parallel sessions that will cover state-of-the-art clinical updates in family medicine, nursing, pharmacy, laboratory medicine, radiology, nutrition, physiotherapy, and dentistry, al-Wahedi pointed out.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced the implementation of the national seasonal influenza vaccination campaign, which was launched in the second half of September in co-operation with Hamad Medical Corporation, Primary Health Care Corporation, and both governmental, semi-governmental, and private health facilities.In a statement, MoPH stressed: “This forms part of the annual strategy to raise awareness, strengthen prevention, and limit the spread of influenza during the winter season”. “Influenza vaccines are available free of charge this year at more than 103 health facilities, including 31 health centres affiliated with the Primary Health Care Corporation, 57 private sector health facilities covering all major hospitals, and 15 semi-governmental facilities, among them Qatar Energy and the Qatar Red Crescent,” it added.The statement said: “MoPH provides influenza vaccinations in ministries, government institutions, and private companies as part of a comprehensive plan aimed at facilitating access to vaccination services for all members of society, thereby enhancing coverage rates and safeguarding public health”.MoPH urged all members of the community, especially those groups most at risk of complications, “to come forward and obtain the seasonal influenza vaccine at the earliest opportunity. It affirms that prevention begins with vaccination and that health awareness is the first line of defence”.“Groups prioritised for influenza vaccination include individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart and lung diseases, kidney impairment, and weakened immunity, as well as senior citizens (over 60 years old), children aged between 6 months and 5 years, pregnant women, and healthcare workers,” the statement clarified.For enquiries about the national seasonal influenza vaccination campaign, the ministry explained, people may contact the Qatar Health Sector Unified Call Centre at 16000.

The Department of Wellness Programmes at the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has organised a tobacco cessation training workshop with 76 attendees, including physicians, pharmacists, health and wellness educators.The exercise, in collaboration with the Department of Workforce Training and Development, aimed to equip healthcare providers with the latest knowledge and practical skills to address emerging patterns of tobacco use, including electronic cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products.The sessions covered key topics such as pharmacological treatment for tobacco addiction, motivational interviewing, psychological considerations, weight management after quitting, and modern techniques like laser therapy.“The PHCC places great importance on prevention and health promotion,” said Wellness Programmes director Dr Wadha al-Baker.“In recent years, we have observed changes in tobacco use patterns and the emergence of new products such as electronic cigarettes and alternative nicotine products,” said Dr Hissa al-Muraikhi, the head of the Wellness for Clinical Interventions. “This requires us, as healthcare professionals, to continuously update our knowledge.”The workshop featured experts from the PHCC, Hamad Medical Corporation, and Qatar University, reflecting effective institutional collaboration in tobacco control.It included lectures, interactive discussions, and Q&A sessions moderated by Dr Mohamed Osman Bala, head of the Wellness Centre at Al Ruwais Health Centre and a member of the scientific organising committee.