In an initiative to enhance women’s health, Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has introduced postnatal services at nine health centres across the country.
The service will be expanded to other centres by end of this year, according to a senior official.
Postnatal services aim at supporting women overcome physical and psychological challenges faced during post pregnancy. Women who are registered with the PHCC and have given natural birth at a hospital of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) are entitled for the service, says Dr Hessa Shahbic, Manager, Maternal and Child Health at PHCC.
PHCC will call new mothers and provide them with information available at postnatal clinics. During the first appointment, the woman will be assessed and directed to required services including counselling. Postnatal services also aim to promoting breastfeeding.
Earlier postnatal services were provided only by the HMC and now it has been extended to the PHCC.
At present postnatal services by PHCC are available at health centres in Al Wakra, Old Airport area, West Bay, Omar Bin Khattab, Rawdat Al Khail, Gharafat Al Rayyan, Abu Nakhla, Al Daayen, and Al Shihaniya. Qataris are given priority due to the limited capacity at postnatal clinics. Around 35 percent of new mothers are benefiting from PHCC’s postnatal services on a monthly basis.
“We are glad to offer postnatal services at our health centres. The service is available at nine health centres and will be expanded to other health centres during this year. Now Qataris are given priority due to the limited capacity of postnatal clinics,” said Dr Shahbic.
“The service aims at promoting good recovery from childbirth. A dedicated team will evaluate the mother’s physical and psychological status and decide on what type of service is required to help her overcome post pregnancy challenges. It promotes breastfeeding and advices on birth spacing as well,” she added.
