DOHA: The Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Primary Healthcare Corporation (PHCC) are working together for early detection and treatment of cancer in Qatar.
The two organisations jointly held training sessions for primary care physicians recently to help them recognise the signs and symptoms of cancer.
Following the launch of the Qatar National Cancer Strategy in 2011, HMC and PHCC are continuing to drive toward a 48-hour referral for patients with a suspected cancer to be seen by a specialist doctor.
Dr Mariam Ali Abdulmalik, Managing Director of PHCC, said: “PHCC is working to tackle a rapid and definitive diagnosis to save lives and to make the community aware of the importance of detecting cancer as soon as possible because an early detection of cancer increases the chances of successful treatment.”
HMC launched a special form for patients with a suspected cancer in April 2012.
This form is used by PHCC physicians to identify patients with a possible diagnosis of cancer who require referral to a specialist clinic at HMC, and these referrals are then treated as urgent.
All suspected cancer referrals are offered an appointment at a specialist clinic within 48 hours of receiving the referral.
A series of workshops for PHCC physicians were held in Doha in November and early December where senior consultants from HMC delivered lectures on the early signs and symptoms of cancer.
The lectures covered many of the more common cancer types including urology, colorectal, breast, neuro-oncology (brain), head and neck, and lung. Members of the HMC dedicated cancer team also delivered lectures on the referral process itself.
The Peninsula
