File photo for representation
Doha, Qatar: Over the years, the Home Healthcare Service (HHCS) has evolved into one of the most prominent services provided by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), significantly transforming healthcare accessibility across Qatar.
By bringing healthcare into the comfortable environment of homebound patients’ homes, HHCS ensures personalized care but also promotes continuity and holistic well-being.
Home Healthcare Service teams from HMC presently attend to more than 3,000 pediatric and adult patients residing throughout Qatar, according to Dr. Hanan Al Yazidi, Senior Consultant, Family Medicine, Home Healthcare Services.
Speaking to The Peninsula, Dr. Al Yazidi said that Home Healthcare Service aimed at providing holistic and specialised support to patients who have been discharged from the hospital but require follow-up care and rehabilitation.
“It helps to ease the burden on hospitals,” she said adding that Home Healthcare Service also helps to reduce visits to emergency department and re-admission to hospitals.
The Home Healthcare Service also facilitates early discharge from hospitals and provides many medical and support services – mainly wound care management and administering IV therapy for patients within the comfort of their homes.
Dr. Al Yazidi explained that Home Healthcare Service receives referrals from various healthcare facilities across HMC and Sidra Medicine. The patient records will be initially examined. If the referred patient is eligible for Home Healthcare Services, a nurse will assess the patient’s needs.
“Majority of receiving Home Healthcare Service are geriatric patients, while around 150 children receiving home care services, primarily referred by Sidra Medicine,” said Dr. Al Yazidi.
“Each patient has a dedicated doctor who is fully aware of the patient’s condition,” she said describing it as a major achievement of the Home Healthcare Service, which facilitates timely and personalised care for the patient.
“Another achievement is the 24/7 Patient’s Call Center which provides clinical support for Home Healthcare Service patients and their families to timely attend their concerns. This leads to avoiding unnecessary hospital visits,” she added. The main office of the Home Healthcare Service is based in Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City, has satellite offices in Al Khor, Al Wakrah Muaither and Al Rayyan areas and caters to patients across Qatar.
Home Health Care Service’s multidisciplinary care teams, including doctors, nurses, Dietician, Respiratory therapists, oral hygienists and patient care assistants, who conduct home visits to perform necessary clinical examinations and review the patient’s care plan. according to data published by HMC between January and April 2024, Home healthcare services made more than 5,000 visits each month.
