(MENAFN- The Peninsula) fazeena saleem |
The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-2026 under the slogan 'Excellence for All' was launched yesterday to ensure that the people of Qatar have access to the best possible care and establish the country as a regional leader in cancer care.
It was launched during a ceremony held in the presence of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at Itqan Clinical Simulation and Innovation Center at Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City.
Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-2026 has set 23 goals through seven chapters which focus on prevention and public education, early detection and screening, qualitative therapy and ongoing care, comprehensive support, childhood cancers, observation and research, and strategic factors.
Developed in collaboration with key stakeholders and with the support of World Health Organisation experts, the Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-2026 is based on a coherent strategic collaborative approach between all health authorities in the country to follow the patient's entire path, including awareness, prevention, early detection, proper diagnosis, holistic treatment, and palliative care.
Following the ceremony, the Prime Minister also toured Itqan Simulation and Innovation Center and he was briefed on the various facilities, equipment and services available.
Minister of Public Health H E Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari; Director of the Public Health Department at the Ministry of Public Health Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani; Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal; Chair of the National Cancer Governance Council Professor Lord Darzi and several other officials were also present at the ceremony.
“The launch of the Qatar Cancer Plan comes within the framework of the State of Qatar's keenness to provide the best sustainable health services to the current and future generations, in accordance with the directions of the leadership, and to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030,” said Dr. Hanan in a statement.
“Through the Qatar Cancer Plan for Excellence for All, we strive to continuously improve the care we provide to cancer patients, their families and the community,” she added.
The Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-2026 builds upon the success achieved through the National Cancer Strategy 2011-2016 and the National Cancer Framework 2017-2022, which have contributed to achieving excellence in cancer care in the country.
The achievements of the National Cancer Framework 2017-2022 were“satisfying”, said Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani addressing a press conference held following the launch of the Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-2026.
“Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-2026 lays the foundation for a new aspect of comprehensive cancer care, which includes the psychological and social aspects of patients,” he said.
He also said that the plan focuses on developing clinical research and supporting international cooperation in this field through the establishment of the Cancer Research Office at the Ministry of Public Health.
In reply to a question about the prevalence of cancer in the country, Dr. Al Thani said that the number of cancer patients is increasing in Qatar, but this is not a reflection of the disease itself, but it is a reflection of the increase in screening and awareness among the people. He said that the prevalence of breast cancer and lung cancer is high in the country.
While Director of Early Detection Programs at Primary Health Care Corporation, Dr. Sheikha Abu Sheikha said that early detection helps in treating and controlling the spread of cancer.
“The Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-2026 focuses on enhancing the quality and accessibility of currently available services, as well as adopting innovative and patient-friendly technology and launching new national cancer early detection programmes in Qatar,” she said.
Highlighting the high-quality care available in the country, Medical Director at National Centre for Cancer Care and Research, Dr. Mohamed Salem Jaber Al Hassan said that Qatar has achieved remarkable progress over the past decade.
According to Dr. Al Hassan one of the achievements is that Qatar is the first in the world where a cancer-suspected patient receives secondary medical care from a specialist within 48 hours, and if the condition is diagnosed the patient receives treatment within two weeks. He also said that the Plan emphasises the need for more comprehensive cancer services at the event level of the patient pathway, along with the launch of enhanced palliative home care services.