Sidra Medicine announces new women’s services

Sidra Medicine has announced two new programmes: the Executive Women’s Health Programme and the Well Woman Health Centre. The details of the services were announced on Monday by Dr Johnny Awwad, chair of Women’s Services. Dr Rudaina consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist and Dr Gbemisola (Shola) Okunoye, division chief of obstetrics were also present.Dr Awwad explained that the new services are very unique. “This year, we are taking an integrated and holistic approach to women’s health and wellness as we expand our services for girls and women in Qatar. They have more choices, especially in areas such as comprehensive health checks, menopause, fertility, gynaecology and maternity care.”The programme offers an annual comprehensive health and wellbeing review for women aged 18 and older. Female patients will receive a detailed assessment with evidence-based advice and personalised care plans. In addition to referrals to multi-specialist adult services such as endocrinology, rheumatology, dermatology, cardiology, pulmonary, internal medicine and mental health, in the future, the programme will also expand into personalised treatment options for patients to visit a wellness center for relaxation and treatment, as well as aesthetic care. It will be ready in the third quarter of 2022.The Well Woman Health Centre will be dedicated to the management of midlife women and beyond by providing a comprehensive and holistic approach to menopause. Women will be supported with advice and consultations related to risk factors such as osteoporosis, heart disease; breast and lung cancer screening and hormone replacement therapy. The service is expected to be operational before end of the year. Dr Okunoye announced that the facility has opened a new maternity ward featuring luxury suites.“It is unlike any other maternity ward in the country as it features six luxury suites fully customised with amenities and services to enhance the comfort and care of the mothers. We are also offering a high-risk maternal service to support women who have a background in medical challenges related to pregnancy,” Dr Okunoye said.The new maternity ward features luxury suites with patient bedrooms with en suite heated bathrooms, a lounge area with a pantry and guest bathrooms. The baby nursery includes private camera viewable for the parents. Dr Rudaina Hassan said: “It is important that women are empowered with knowledge about the options that are available to them when it comes to their reproductive and gynecological health. We want to assure them that they can come to us for a second opinion and this is critical in terms of hope for many young girls and women in the country.”Sidra Medicine currently offers a cervical cancer screening programme for women. The hospital works closely with HMC as part of a nation-wide “screen-and-treat” programme where following the screening at Sidra Medicine, patients are immediately referred for treatment. The hospital has also started to offer human papillomavirus vaccines for girls from the ages of 12 years onwards. Dr Awwad, who is also the chief of Reproductive Medicine at Sidra Medicine, confirmed the launch of a fertility preservation service in the coming months.