Qatar

SCH wants ‘Cancer Champions’ to support national strategy

SCH wants ‘Cancer Champions’ to support national strategy

February 24, 2014 | 12:18 AM
Children watch a stunt show at the Family Day event.

The Supreme Council of Health’s National Cancer Programme (NCP) is calling on influential figures in the Qatari society to endorse and support the aim of the National Cancer Strategy by becoming recruits and community-based ‘Cancer Champions’.

The NCP will continue to deliver the National Cancer Strategy which strives to ensure the population of Qatar is provided with world-class quality cancer services that it is deserving of.

Work streams under the umbrella of the NCP will address areas of focus across the whole cancer patient pathway from prevention through to survival and ongoing care in order to achieve the strategies’ goal.

The two-day Family Fun Day, recently organised by the NCP and hosted by Katara the Cultural Village, was attended by more than 4,500 visitors.

The event aimed at providing entertaining activities for the whole family while spreading awareness and providing practical advice and information about cancer. To better reinforce healthy habits and well-being as measures to reduce the risk of cancer, the programme included entertainment and physical activities such as stage-based exercises, a rhythmic gymnastics show, and a hip hop dancing show.

The visitors were able to check their overall health through biometric tests analysing their blood pressure, blood sugar levels and their body mass index at a clinical tent operated by the SCH’s Public Health team.

Over 230 people visited the tent for the check up while they also received advice from SCH’s medical professionals about ways to manage their lifestyles and address any health concerns.

NCP director Fiona Bonas said: “We are proud to finally launch NCP’s first official initiative and have the public interact with us. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness of cancer and give the public the tools to protect themselves and their loved ones in the fight against cancer. And what better way to do that than engaging the community in fun and exciting activities for the whole family.”

SCH’s Health Education section head Dr Salah Abdulla Alyafei said: “The amount of uptake we got over the span of two days was really impressive. These tests always give good motivation to apply necessary changes in one’s lifestyle, to promote healthier living which is what we’re trying to achieve for the population of Qatar.”

 

 

 

 

 

February 24, 2014 | 12:18 AM