(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
DOHA: Over three million people visited the primary health centres across the country over the past 16 months, the Primary Healthcare Corporation (PHCC) said yesterday.
Two new health centres will open in Doha — Al Thumama and Rowdath Al Khail on June 7 and June 17, respectively.
The Umm Salal centre, the second wellness centre in the country, is scheduled to open next month.
According to data released by PHCC for 16 months from January 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016, the six health centres in the central region received the highest number of visitors — over 1.18 million.
The centres are located in Al Muntaza, Airport, Umm Ghuwailina, West Bay, Omar Bin Khatab and Al Wakrah.
Dr Fathia Al Meer, Director of the central region, said many health centres in the region witnessed renovations and introduction of new programmes and services. Al Wakrah health centre launched a centre for early detection of cancer, specialised in detection of stomach and breast cancers.
New smart clinics were launched for Qataris as a pilot project for diabetes check-up and follow-up treatment for those diagnosed with the disease, with support of specialists, including nutritionists.
Umm Ghuwailina and Airport health centres have been expanded to increase capacity and working hours at the clinics while laboratories have been extended.
The seven health centres in the western region received over 1.16 million visitors during the same period. The centres are Abu Nakhla, Al Karanaa, Al Juamailia, Mesaimeer, Shihinia Aboobacker Siddiq and Al Rayyan.
Dr Hiam Al Sada, Director of western region, said the new programmes and systems introduced in healthcare services have encouraged more people to visit the centres.
New services will be introduced in some health centres in the region this year.
The nine health centres in the northern region which is less populated compared to the other two regions, received 814, 866 visitors.
The centres are located in Al Daain, Al Kaabaan, Medinat Khalifa, Al Khor, Umm Salal, Al Shamal, Al Gharafa, Al Guwairiya and Labeeb.
Dr Nada Al Emadi, Director of northern region, said during this period, health centres in the region saw introduction of a package of new services to improve the quality of care.
The Labeeb Health Centre, the first wellness centre in the country, was opened last year and new facilities for early detection of breast and stomach cancer were introduced.
“There is a plan for launching a mobile unit for diagnosis of breast and stomach cancers and we want to increase working hours of health centres and laboratories in the region,” said Dr Nada.
The Umm Salal Health and Wellness Centre will open next month to replace the existing health centre, she added.
The Peninsula