Doha continues to overcome challenges to healthcare posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) opened the expanded Day Care Unit at the National Centre for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR), the ministry announced on Saturday.

According to Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, Minister of Public Health, the opening and expansion of the facility demonstrates the local health sector’s ability to continue treating other diseases and illnesses while still combating the coronavirus pandemic. 

“The expansion of the Day Care Unit is a wonderful example of the hard work that has been done away from COVID-19 to ensure all our patients receive the highest quality care. The new Unit provides a significant expansion in capacity and offers an improved experience for all day care patients,” said Dr. Al Kuwari.

The Urgent Care Unit and Outpatient departments at the NCCCR have also undergone work to expand capacity and enhance services, as part of a four-month renovation project.

Dr. Mohamed Salem Al Hassan, Medical Director of NCCCR, added that the Day Care Unit has more than tripled its capacity, expanding from 16 to 52 beds; this will enhance the care services provided to patients, most importantly those undergoing chemotherapy.

“We have also enhanced our inpatient care provision through the addition of ten new beds for Medical Oncology,” said Dr. Al Hassan.

Read also: HMC opens new state-of-the-art laser vision correction unit

The Outpatient Department has seen significant transformation to keep up with the growing population of Qatar. In response to the annual increase of patients, the Outpatient Department added three more clinics: the Pain Management and Palliative Care Clinic, Pharmacy Lead Clinic, and a Psychotherapy Clinic.

“We have also significantly improved access to cancer care across Qatar through the establishment of 37 clinics outside NCCCR, in the Ambulatory Care Center, Al Wakra Hospital, Al Khor Hospital, and the Women’s Wellness and Research Center,” said Dr. Noora Al Hammadi, Deputy Medical Director and Chair of Radiation Oncology.

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is the main provider of secondary and tertiary healthcare in Qatar and has been one of the leading hospital providers in the Middle East for more than four decades, managing 12 local hospitals.

HMC manages nine specialist hospitals, three community hospitals, the National Ambulance Service, as well as home and residential care services. 

The leading local health institution received its international accreditation in 2019 from the US-based Joint Commission International (JCI). HMC also remains the only non-US hospital system to achieve corporate Academic Medical Center accreditation for all its hospitals.

Additionally, the National Ambulance Service, Home Healthcare Service, Stroke Service and Palliative Care, have been receiving the same prestigious accreditation since 2011.

As part of the Qatar National Vision 2030, HMC aims to enhance the health sector and its services through its plans to expand capacity across its network. 

HMC also collaborates with key partners, including Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and Partners Healthcare in Boston.

Follow Doha News on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube