Doha, Qatar: Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) health centres recorded 380,637 patient visits during July, reflecting continued demand for a broad range of primary healthcare services across Qatar.
Family medicine clinics accounted for the largest share of visits, with 209,810 consultations during the month, according to latest data released by the PHCC.
PHCC operates family medicine clinics across all 31 health centres in Qatar, with the Family Medicine Model serving as a core component of services at every regional health facility.
The integrated Family Medicine Model is designed to help patients better manage their health, promote greater independence and wellbeing, and reduce the need for admission or referral to secondary care where appropriate.
Dental services recorded 26,877 visits in July, while 6,653 visits were made to mental health clinics.
PHCC’s integrated psychiatry service provides support and management for patients with moderate to severe mental health disorders.
In addition, mental health support clinics cater to people experiencing mild to moderate anxiety and depression, with psychologists providing behavioural interventions and support.
The mental health support service is currently available at Rawdat Al Khail, Thumama, Lebaib, Qatar University and Al Wajbah health centres, with access through referral from a family physician. PHCC family physicians can also refer patients diagnosed with mild to moderate cognitive impairment or dementia to the service.
The Well-Baby Clinics across PHCC health centres recorded 14,591 visits during July.
The clinics provide free routine health check-ups, developmental and growth monitoring, and mandatory vaccinations for registered children from birth to five years of age. PHCC also continued to provide home-based and virtual healthcare services during the month. A total of 316 beneficiaries used the medication home-delivery service.
Telephone consultations recorded 29,824 consultations in July, while 13,329 people accessed virtual services through the 16000 call centre.
Members of the public can call PHCC’s general line at 107 for standard appointments, general enquiries and booking virtual consultation slots. Through 16000, patients can access telephone or video consultations with physicians from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week, while ophthalmology consultations are available on weekdays.
During the overnight period from 11pm to 7am, a nurse-led telephone triage service is available to assess patients and direct them to the most appropriate healthcare service, including PHCC’s 24-hour Urgent Care facilities when required.
