DOHA: Increased number of people have sought assistance through ‘Hayyak’ helpline introduced at primary healthcare centres since last June.
Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) yesterday said over 3,800 calls were received through the helpline (107) last December, up 47 percent comparing to October and a great overall improvement since the service started.
The service allows people to obtain information, provide feedback about the service they received and make appointments at some health centres.
The helpline is the first stage in implementing a communication project to provide easier access to services for patients and serve as a tool for convenience.
Via the call centre, visitors will be first examined through phone and, if needed, will be referred to physicians at healthcare centres.
The helpline was introduced as part of the national strategy for primary healthcare.
Patients can book appointments at five health centres through the helpline — Abu Nakhla, Al Daayen, West Bay, Omar Bin Khattab and Al Gharafah — from 7am to 2pm, and 4pm to 11pm.
The service will be extended to all health centres.
Hayyak 107 allows the possibility of directing people to the most appropriate services, where booking is automatically done at the counselling centre or in the specialist clinic, informing patients that they can register for appointments. If the assessment requires transferring the patient to the emergency department, ambulance services will be provided by PHCC.
The Peninsula
