DOHA: The Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)’s Rheumatology Division has introduced several new initiatives with an aim to further enhance the services and care for patients of arthritis and rheumatic diseases.
It includes expansion of the facilities and services, reducing the waiting list, increasing awareness among the patients and physicians, said Dr Abdul Wahab Al Allaf, Senior Consultant Rheumatologist at HMC.
“The most recent development at HMC’s Rheumatology Division was to increase the capacity of seeing patients. New consultants were appointed, the capacity of clinics has almost doubled, dedicated rooms have been assigned for imaging and other tests. All these aim at ultimately reducing the patient waiting list to maximum two weeks,” Dr Al Allaf told The Peninsula. “The other most innovative development was to use electronic platforms such as Youtube, Whatsapp and dedicated websites to improve our communication with patients and general practitioners or primary care physicians,” he said.
The division has created awareness videos and held workshops to educate general physicians at the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC). The participants were educated about diagnosing and the correct referral criteria to HMC. “General physicians at PHCC are the first contact of patients. It’s essential to increase awareness about the symptoms, medications and prevention methods among them,” said Dr Al Allaf.
According to Dr Al Allaf, the division is also preparing to upgrade the service further and have a One Stop Clinic, at which patients can undergo all tests and investigations on the same day. “Despite the blockade imposed on Qatar by the neighbouring countries, all medications for patients with arthritis and rheumatic diseases are available in the country. Even the most expensive medicines are available free for all Qatari patients and at a 80 percent reduced price for the non Qatari patients,” said Dr Al Allaf.
Rheumatic diseases are commonly classified as inflammatory and non-inflammatory, with rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis and connective tissue diseases such as lupus, being among the most common inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
Most of the rheumatic conditions happen when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. The most common signs and symptoms of rheumatic diseases include joint swelling, pain, prolonged early morning stiffness, and painful and decreased range of motion.
