DOHA: The National Health Insurance Scheme — Seha — has launched a Diabetes Management Programme to assist members suffering from the disease in managing their condition.
Open to adult Seha beneficiaries diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, the programme aims to provide support and education to enable patients to live healthier lives and delay the onset of diabetes-related complications.
“Diabetes is a global problem that is increasing the burden on health care systems and individuals. In Qatar, the number of people suffering from the disease is expected to increase significantly over the coming years based on current trends,” said Faleh Mohamed Hussain Ali, Acting CEO, National Health Insurance Company.
“Self-management is a well-recognised cornerstone of diabetes care and patients spend a lot of time self-managing their condition. Through this programme, we aim to support patients in this process, providing information and advice to allow them to live healthier and more fulfilling lives,” he added.
The programme is an outreach telephone service, with a personal care management nurse assigned to each participating member.
The nurse works together with the patient, providing information and support to help manage their condition, referring back to the healthcare provider when required.
The nurse works with the Seha member to inform and guide the individual about screening for complications, self-care, immunisations, concurrence with treatment and medications, including introducing physical activity into daily care. The programme team also includes a dietician to provide support and guidance on nutrition.
There is no limit to the length of time a member can benefit from the scheme, given the progressive nature of diabetes although members can choose to decline or opt out of the programme at any time.
Contact with members is based on individualised need and risk factors — a member who is well-managed and considered low-risk will have less intense contact than a member classified as high-risk.
“Risks from diabetes can be reduced by stopping smoking, taking healthy diet, increasing physical activity and regular screening. We will work with members to find out what motivates and is important to them and how they can implement simple changes into their daily lives that will increase their health and reduce risks,” Dr Faleh said.
The programme is offered as an additional benefit to members of Seha, which provides Qataris with comprehensive health insurance coverage for the full range of basic health services through a network of high-quality public and private providers. It follows on from the highly successful Maternity Management Programme introduced during Stage 1 of the health insurance scheme and continues to offer support and advice to expecting mothers, including those with gestational diabetes. The Peninsula
