SCH building 5 new health centres for expat workers

Qatar will set up 25 health centres, 11 hospitals, and 82 other new or renovated health facilities during 2015-2022, according to a report released by the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) yesterday. The SCH has achieved about 71% of the targets of the National Health Strategy (2011-2016), says the report. At present, the SCH is building five new health centres for expatriate single workers, and 20 other health centres, to cover all areas of the country. In addition, there are three specialised hospitals for single workers under construction HMC is also building eight hospitals focusing on common diseases, and rehabilitation, providing more beds and outpatient clinics. The SCH is also building a centre to treat behavioral disruptions, the national standard laboratory and two laboratories for food tests, in addition to a variety of other services and supportive facilities.The SCH, in co-operation with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and other related entities, has been undertaking the implementation of the strategy for developing healthcare in the country as part of the National Development Strategy (2011-2016). The strategy aims at attaining a comprehensive healthcare system for all inhabitants with global standards. The launch of the National Health Insurance System for Qataris, which is set to cover all inhabitants of Qatar by 2016, has been one of the main achievements of the National Health Strategy. Other related achievements include adopting a plan for the necessary health infrastructure, the foundation of the Qatari Council for Healthcare Practitioners, the launch of the national strategy to fight diabetes, enhancing professional health education, instant and quick emergency response, and transfer of cancer patients within 48 hours and the launch of Qatar national registry for cancer, among other achievements.Future plans of SCH include the implementation of the e-health programme, which is expected to be accomplished in 2016, where each patient will have a unified and comprehensive e-file.