By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: A new cancer hospital will open in 2018, a senior official said on Monday.
The hospital, which will function under the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), is in the design stage, said Dr Hareth Al Khather, Acting Chair of Hematology and Oncology and senior consultant physician at HMC, at a press conference.
“We will open a new cancer hospital soon…… In 2014, there were 1,400 cancer patients in the country and the number is expected to increase in the coming years for different reasons,” he added.
The National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) will be integrated with the new cancer hospital as a long-term solution for cancer care in the country, according to National Cancer Strategy (NCS) 2011 - 2015.
A special forum was held at the Doha Sheraton on Monday to discuss achievements of the QR2.204bn strategy. Professor Lord Darzi of Denham, Chair of the Qatar National Cancer Committee, said that the growth and evolution of the processes and pathways for cancer care were exceptional.
“I have been involved with cancer strategies, especially in the UK. What you have achieved within these five years in Qatar is something remarkable. Five years ago when I first came to Qatar the word cancer frightened everyone. Now people’s mindset has changed and they accept cancer is curable if diagnosed early. It’s an amazing achievement, when it comes to awareness. Number of people going into breast or bowel cancer screening is phenomenal, much higher than anywhere else,” he said.
Referring to cancer treatment available at HMC, he said, “The latest equipment help in early detection. The care five years ago was organised around the hospital and now it is patient and family oriented. That is also phenomenal.” A new five year 2017 – 2022 national caner strategy is to be launched soon for cancer care and prevention in the country.
“Cancer care doesn’t stop today. Quality of cancer care is a progressing target, so we have to keep up with the changes and technology,” said Lord Darzi.
NCS 2011-2015 was the first-ever initiative of its kind in the region to combat a disease. The cancer strategy is closely linked to the National Health Strategy (NHS) which was launched in April 2011.
The five-year strategy has more than 60 recommendations under nine categories ranging from increasing cancer awareness to coping with survival or bereavement. The strategy aims to increase education and understanding of cancer through myth-busting campaigns and education in schools.
Dr Mariam Abdul Malik, Managing Director at Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) said that within five years efforts have been intensified to raise awareness about breast and bowel cancer, and the benefits of early screening in saving lives, pointing to the launch of new initiatives and activities.
The Peninsula
