(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Three years after its launch, the National Health Strategy 2011-2016 (NHS) has completed two major projects and achieved 44 percent of its remaining 37 projects.
Implementation and achievements of NHS in the healthcare sector was reviewed at its third annual forum yesterday in the presence of the Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani.
He also launched the Supreme Council of Health's (SCH) new website reflecting the theme of this year's NHS annual event, 'Enhancing the Patient Journey', as the people of Qatar now have improved access to healthcare information online.
The annual event aims at enhancing the understanding of NHS and highlighting the positive and wide-ranging transformation NHS is bringing to health in Qatar.
Highlighting on 'Enhancing the Patient Journey' the Minister of Public Health H E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani said healthcare professionals should enhance patient confidence through professional and best methods of treatment.
"The patient is at the centre and we are around them. We listen to what the patient says, we respect their wishes and preferences, we let them know that their voice is heard and understood," he said.
NHS is a partnership of SCH, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Primary Healthcare Corporation (PHCC). But it has a collaboration of more than 50 organisations, involves over 26,000 healthcare staff and has a budget of QR11bn.
In the past 12 months, NHS launched the Mental Health Strategy, introducing the Hayyak customer service system to primary healthcare centres, HMC's Ambulance Service, reaching their emergency response time targets three years ahead of the time frame and national health insurance coverage of all Qatari, said Al Qahtani.
"The launch of the Mental Health Strategy represents a significant step forward in recognising the importance of mental health alongside physical health, and it will play a vital role in helping citizens and residents optimise their healthy lifestyles to build a vibrant and productive society," he said.
He also addressed a press conference together with Dr Faleh Mohamed Hussain Ali, Acting CEO, National Health Insurance Company, Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, Managing Director, HMC, and Dr Mariam Ali Abdul Malik, Managing Director, PHCC. It was moderated by Dr Ibrahim A Janahi, Executive Director of Research, HMC.
Al Qahtani said the number of patients going abroad for treatment has not changed, but they chose to do so upon necessity or by choice. He said by 2030, existing hospitals will be expanded or new ones built to provide about 6,600 beds while the Emergency Department at HMC will be expanded by 2017.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.