Primary healthcare is the foundation for a healthy society and the cornerstone of the health system, HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari noted on Monday.
In her opening address at the launch of the Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative, HE Dr al-Kuwari stated that primary healthcare provides comprehensive and holistic care not only for the curative aspects bust also for the preventative measures.
“The health system in Qatar has, over the past decade, developed and strengthened primary healthcare services and infrastructure, with a focus on prevention and early intervention, with the aim of improving health outcomes for patients and enhancing the quality of life in general,” she said. “Strengthening primary healthcare services in the Global South is thanks to the unlimited support of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani for the health sector in the country.”
“Qatar’s globally recognised network of comprehensive primary healthcare services is a strong example of a well-organised medical care system in which the health sector stands ready, through state programmes to support low- and middle-income countries, for partnership and for the exchange of experiences and training,” HE Dr al-Kuwari added.
The minister also referred to the challenges faced by several countries in the health sector due to various issues.
“Despite the great improvements that have occurred over the past decades, obtaining primary healthcare, even basic health services, represents a challenge in a number of countries due to geographical distance, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of trained medical staff,” HE Dr al-Kuwari said. “The situation has deteriorated due to conflicts, environmental problems, lack of resources, and poor management and guidance that have made the situation worse.”
As for the Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative, the minister hoped that “this initiative, which is fully in line with internationally agreed global health strategies, will be able to contribute collectively to strengthening primary healthcare in low- and middle-income countries, and invest in their infrastructure, workforce and resources to enable individuals and communities to take charge of their health and well-being.”