Image used for representation only.
The Ministry of Public Health granted final approval to some 198 new health facilities last year. Added to this, preliminary approval was granted to 341 health care facilities, according to a report issued by the Ministry yesterday.
The Ministry also approved shifting of 15 health facilities in the country, while licences of 463 facilities were renewed last year, the report showed.
Meanwhile, the Ministry slashed prices of some 4,014 medicines, accounting for 87 percent of all the medicines — 4,588 — registered in the country. The reduction is part of a GCC-wide initiative to unify import costs. The Ministry also carried out 708 routine inspections in various pharmacies operating in the country. Also some 60 preview inspections of facilities for new pharmacy licences was carried out.
The Ministry is currently working on the preparation of the next five- year health strategy and will soon launch the National Strategy for Health 2017-2022. The Ministry has also prepared a draft framework of patient advocacy project. A set of ethics and rules of professional conduct of health practitioners has also been finalised and will be applicable to all health care practitioners in the country once approved by the government.
These projects that put patients first aims to ensure the safety and patient satisfaction. Among the most prominent of the major achievements of the Ministry during 2016 is the national framework for medical education and continuing professional development launched by Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP). The project aims to promote global best practices in the field of health care in the country.
Number of health practitioners registered on the electronic system for professional development has reached 23,358. Also, some 195,773 professional development activities were also implemented.
QCHP also launched blacklisting of practitioners who present false or misleading credentials. This is achieved by primary source verification (PSV) which includes checking the educational background, training, experience as well as other credentials of all health care practitioners applying for registration and licensing in Qatar.
The Ministry achieved a major milestone by opening three new primary healthcare centres (PHCC) in Umm Salal, Rawdath Al Khail and Al Thumama. Also similar facilities for single workers were opened at Al Hemaila and Mesaimeer.
Meanwhile, the number of hospitals under Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) increased to nine with the addition of Communicable Disease Centre. The year also saw the opening of Sidra Medical and Research Centre.
The ministry’s cancer strategy, has helped to develop a new system that will give referral to HMC from PHCC within 48 hours.
