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The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has announced the opening of registration for the 6th International Primary Health Care Conference (IPHCC) Qatar 2025, which will be held from November 27 to 29 under the patronage of HE the Minister of Public Health Mansoor bin Ebrahim bin Saad al-Mahmoud.The conference is expected to attract around 1,000 participants, including distinguished speakers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, educators, students, and stakeholders from around the world, reflecting its position as one of the leading specialised medical events in the region.This year’s conference enjoys diamond sponsorship from Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar Armed Forces, Ooredoo, and QNB, alongside the participation of the Ministry of Public Health as an official partner. This highlights the commitment of various national entities to supporting the health sector and strengthening its vital role in serving the community.Dr Mariam Ali Abdul Malik, managing director of PHCC and chair of Conference Organising Committee, affirmed that the 6th IPHCC represents a leading scientific and professional platform that enables the exchange of expertise and knowledge and promotes collaboration between healthcare and academic institutions, contributing to the development of primary healthcare systems in Qatar and globally.She invited all physicians, healthcare professionals, researchers, students, and stakeholders from inside and outside Qatar to actively participate in this distinguished medical event, benefit from its scientific programmes and specialised workshops, and take the opportunity to present scientific research abstracts.

Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has stressed that with the new academic year, family preparations should not be limited to books and school uniforms, but must also include attention to children’s oral health.Dr Najat Alyafei, manager of Oral Health Promotion and Prevention, PHCC noted that oral health has a direct impact on a child’s comfort and academic performance, pointing out that even minor issues such as tooth decay or gum inflammation can lead to school absences and negatively affect learning outcomes.She added that the 'Asnani' School Oral Health Programme serves as a national initiative to safeguard the oral health of children in government schools and has been designed to meet the needs of different age groups through two main components. The first is dedicated to kindergarten students, who, according to scheduled plans, are taken to health centres equipped with specialised dental care rooms. During these visits, children engage in interactive activities designed to raise awareness and teach proper oral care habits in an enjoyable and age-appropriate way. They then undergo dental check-ups in designated clinics, where fluoride is applied as a preventive measure against tooth decay.The second component targets primary school students. Nine dental teams visit government schools according to approved schedules, delivering age-appropriate awareness lectures, conducting dental examinations, and applying fluoride treatments. Dr Alyafei emphasised that the implementation of these activities requires parental consent, obtained through forms distributed to students in their schools.She further explained that the role of the Asnani Programme is not limited to student check-ups. The dental teams also deliver the ‘Oral Health Ambassadors’ lecture to school teaching and administrative staff during their visits, aiming to spread awareness and promote healthy practices within the school community. She highlighted the importance of ensuring that adolescents in preparatory and secondary schools continue to maintain regular oral hygiene, visit dental clinics routinely, and avoid delays in seeking treatment. Dr Alyafei noted with concern that programme teams encountered a significant number of students who had never used a toothbrush, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen awareness efforts from an early age.She concluded by reaffirming that early attention to oral health ensures that children enjoy healthy smiles and consistent school attendance, while giving them greater confidence to begin the academic year fully prepared and focused. She called on parents to ensure their children participate in the Asnani Programme by signing the consent forms.