DOHA: Four primary health centres have been renovated and upgraded with new facilities to cater to the growing population, a senior official said yesterday.
The centres in Mesaimeer, Al Rayyan, Gharaffat Al Rayyan and West Bay now have vinyl flooring, reception and pharmacy counters, nurse stations, partitions and parking shades, said Niki Georgiou, Acting Executive Director, Facilities and Engineering, Primary Healthcare Corporation (PHCC).
The centres have been upgraded to ensure safety, enhance sustainability and effectiveness, increase patient experience, increase capacity of clinical areas and the current situation, Georgiou told this daily.
By August 2015, the centres in Abu Baker Al Siddiq, Airport Area, Al Muntaza and Umm Ghuwalina will be renovated and upgraded with more clinical and other staff and administrative areas. To enhance safety of the healthcare centres, fire alarm systems have also been upgraded and closed circuit TV (CCTV) cameras have been installed.
In addition, a pharmacy and cafeteria have been built at the Mesaimeer Health Centre.
Renovation and expansion of centres are done under capital investment projects of PHCC, with modification and refurbishment in clinical and public areas. They ensure sustainability, safe operation and improvement of current facilities in terms of safety, applicable standards, codes and statutory regulations, Georgiou said.
They also provide consultancy services for assessment of compliance to applicable life safety codes as well as Qatar Civil Defence Department certification for 18 centres.
Further, 19 new health centres are in planning stages and six under construction.
All new centres are bigger than the existing ones, with a wide range of clinical services in accordance the country’s vision for enhancement of a healthy and productive society where self-care and awareness become a priority is the community’s conscience.
Georgiou said the vision is achieved by integrating wellness features such as pool, gymnasium, ante-natal classes, weight management and other new services in many centres.
The Primary Urgent Care Department, expanded diagnostic imaging services, family medicine and specialised medical services are also provisioned in line with the PHCC strategy.
The Peninsula
