A PHCC team provides dental checkups for children at a mall.
Doha, Qatar: The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) places significant emphasis on preventive health as a fundamental pillar in improving quality of life and reducing chronic diseases. Through innovative programmes and effective strategies, PHCC is dedicated to promoting early detection and preventive healthcare.
In this context, Executive Director of Preventive Health at PHCC, Dr. Hamad Al Mudhahka highlighted the department’s remarkable achievements in 2024, which reflect PHCC’s steadfast commitment to public health and community well-being. He noted that various divisions within the department have continued to develop preventive programs and enhance early detection efforts, ultimately improving healthcare services and ensuring accessibility for a larger segment of society.
The Oral Health Promotion and Prevention Department has made significant strides, including expanding the Asnani School Oral Health Program to reach tens of thousands of students. The department also launched the Oral Health Ambassadors Program to empower educational staff and promote health awareness among students.
Additionally, large-scale community outreach events were conducted in collaboration with various national organizations, featuring impactful awareness programs during National Sports Day, Qatar National Day, Hajj season, and World Diabetes Day. These initiatives reinforced the link between oral health and overall well-being.
On the research front, the department contributed to prestigious scientific studies, reflecting its commitment to research as a foundation for improving oral health. Furthermore, efforts are underway to introduce mandatory annual oral screenings for students and transition parental consent forms to a digital system, which will streamline procedures and enhance service efficiency.
Dr. Al Mudhahka stated: “The National Breast and Bowel Cancer Screening Programs witnessed a year of success, with impactful awareness campaigns such as the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Campaign in March and Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign in October. These initiatives gained widespread community engagement and significantly increased early screening rates.”
To enhance patient experience, PHCC introduced modern communication tools, including educational videos and updated brochures. Additionally, the launch of electronic registration facilitated access for thousands of individuals seeking cancer screenings.
One of the most notable advancements was the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to assist radiologists in interpreting medical images, improving diagnostic accuracy and screening quality. Moreover, specialized training programs were implemented to enhance healthcare professionals’ expertise and ensure the adoption of the latest medical practices.
Dr. Al Mudhahka said PHCC’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Team made significant progress in 2024. Through innovative solutions and evidence-based practices, the team successfully integrated infection control measures into daily operations across all health centers, ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and visitors.
The team recommended strengthening health protection measures through advanced hand hygiene initiatives, utilisation of digital tools for infection surveillance, and enhanced antimicrobial resistance management programmes. These efforts established new benchmarks for excellence in healthcare safety.
