Recently opened women's wellness centre at Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City.
The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) will open two Wellness Centres in Muaither and Alwajba which will be providing a holistic treatment, with facilities for sports and physical exercise, swimming pool and traditional spa, says a senior official. With addition of new centres, Wellness Centres in the country will increase to five.
The wellness centres being developed in the country features elements which contribute to an individual’s overall wellness of mind and body rather than just medical requirements. Such centres provide usual medical care as well as other facilities. At present three facilities are available at Leabaib, Rawdat Al Khail and Umm Salal Health Centres.
“PHCC is in the process of developing new health centers across Qatar. A number of these centres will help to support people to choose to live healthier lives. Wellness is defined as empowering people to make a positive lifestyle choice to achieve equilibrium in physical, mental and emotional health; towards fulfilling a happy, healthy, productive life,” Dr Wadha Ahmed Al Baker, Manager of Health Promotion and Wellness, PHCC told The Peninsula.
“To achieve this vision, a range of preventative wellness services will be provided to PHCC clients by a multidisciplinary team including physicians, nurses and wellness coaches in a calm environment.
The wellness centre is a new addition to the new health centres, with sport/recreational facilities (Gym, swimming pool, massage rooms, steam and sauna) and where patients can do exercise sessions as part of their current treatment for many chronic diseases. There are currently three wellness facilities operating under the PHCC, located at Leabaib, Rawdat Al Khail and Umm Slal Health Centers. Two more wellness centres will open in Muather and Alwajba,” Dr Wadha Ahmed Al Baker, Manager of Health Promotion and Wellness, PHCC, added.
The services at wellness centres aim to reduce smoking, obesity, unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity, which are the four main risk factors of many lifestyle diseases in Qatar.
To avail services at Wellness Centres a patient will be first assessed by a physician to ensure that the person meets with the requirements. “For patient safety, getting a referral to the Wellness Centre from a physician is mandatory. Patients will be required to make an appointment and undergo a consultation with a physician who will assess their health and eligibility as well as confirm that the patient wishes to make a long term permanent change to their lifestyle. Only low and moderate risk patients are accepted to wellness Centres,” said Dr Wadha. “Some patients with chronic conditions will not able to benefit from the services until the health problems are kept under control,” she added.
Patients with conditions such as high risk cardiac conditions, uncontrolled diabetes , vestibular and respiratory conditions, injury or pain exacerbated by physical activity, uncontrolled epilepsy, pregnant women within six and eight weeks post delivery will not able to avail services at the Wellness Centres.
