The Ministry of Public Health Qatar (MoPH) launched the Cancer Awareness Calendar for 2021 at a special virtual programme to mark the World Cancer Day.
World Cancer Day is annually commemorated on February 4 and this year’s theme is 'I am and I will' aiming to raise awareness on cancer, methods of prevention, and the importance of early detection.
Launching the cancer awareness calendar, Amid Abu Hmaidan, manager of Qatar National Cancer Registry, MoPH, stated that despite the obstacles related to closures and working from home conditions during the period of the pandemic, the National Cancer Programme was able to complete the final lines of the general cancer governance system in Qatar.
“The Cancer Awareness Calendar 2021 is the fruit of the co-operation of various partners including Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and Qatar Cancer Society (QCS) under the National Cancer Programme at MoPH,” explained Abu Hamaidan.
The 2021 Cancer Awareness Calendar also identifies months dedicated to cancer awareness based on evidence-based injury data published by the Qatar National Cancer Registry. It also recognises international days of cancer awareness. This annual calendar will also highlight nationally implemented initiatives. The webinar was organised in partnership with HMC, PHCC, Sidra Medicine and QCS.
Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani, director of Public Health department, MoPH; Dr Mohamed Salem Jaber al-Hassan, medical director of the National Centre for Cancer and Research (NCCCR) also attended the event. There was a panel discussion moderated by Dr al-Hareth al-Khater, senior consultant physician and deputy medical director, NCCCR.
The panel included Dr Khulood al-Mutawa – head, Non-Communicable Diseases Department, MoPH; Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha – screening programmes manager, PHCC; Dr Ayman Saleh – division chief, Peadiatric Hematology Oncology, Sidra Medicine; and Dr Hadi Mohamed Abu Rasheed – head, Professional Development and Scientific Research Department, QCS.
Sheikh Mohamed said, “World Cancer Day is a unique day that unites people, communities and the world around to raise awareness and implement the required interventions. The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted most cancer-related services worldwide. Our commitment for 2021 is that the MoPH will continue its efforts to promote health, raise awareness of cancer prevention and refute and correct misconceptions by continuing to implement various health programmes and projects.”
According to Dr al-Hassan, “to effectively deal with this disease and to significantly decrease its impact, the healthcare system in Qatar provides high-quality care, the best possible support, and the best possible patient experience to those diagnosed with cancer. While advances in treatment options such as surgical techniques, screening tests, radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy are helping patients live longer preserving their quality of life, prevention and early detection are the keys to improving patient outcomes.”
The 2021 Cancer Awareness Calendar was launched through a unique collaboration and partnership between some of the country's leading healthcare institutions working on cancer prevention and treatment. This calendar also reflects the collaborative efforts of health partners towards achieving the National Cancer Framework Vision 2017-2022 and provides an opportunity to unite stakeholders within Qatar to unite their efforts to raise cancer awareness and reduce the burden of cancer on the community in Qatar.
