DOHA: The establishment of the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) as an independent entity is yet to bring radical changes in the primary health sector in the country, in terms of facilities and services, according to an online survey.
A majority of the respondents to the survey, 77 percent, said they didn’t find any difference in the services after establishment of the corporation. Only eight percent expressed the opposite view. A total of 89 percent of the respondents said there is need for more improvement in the performance of the health centres.
Reacting to the survey, several citizens pointed out that the recently introduced electronic payment system has created a mess in some health centres. Long queues in front of the pharmacies are a daily phenomenon, they said.
They have also complained about the shortage of specialists at several health centres.
Several members of the Central Municipal Council (CMC) also called for quick and tangible measures to improve the services.
“We still are not witnessing any radical changes in the way the health centres function. They are supposed to reduce the pressure on the Hamad Medical Corporation facilities but many patients seeking treatment at the health centres are being referred to the public hospitals, due to a shortage of medical specialties and specialists,” said CMC member Ahmed Al Sheeb.
Meanwhile, the PHCC, in response to a report carried by a Al Sharq about the shortage of dental clinics at health centres said there is a plan to set up more such clinics in all health centres. The number of dental clinics in major centres will be raised to six, from the existing three, the daily reported yesterday.
People seeking emergency care need not to have to take appointments in advance, said the PHCC. There are centres functioning on the basis of prior appointments and there are others attending to visitors through an electronic token system, it added.
The Peninsula
