MoPH launches Qatar Cancer Information Centre platform

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has launched Qatar Cancer Information Centre (QCIC) platform, in the presence of a group of specialists and academics from Qatar and the GCC countries.The QCIC is considered the reference of national cancer data and information in Qatar, to enable data-driven and evidence-based cancer planning and policymaking, in addition to enhancing clinical research through the provision of quality and comprehensive data.Assistant Minister for Health Affairs Dr Salih Ali al-Marri stressed the importance of developing cancer services in Qatar and its impact on society, explaining that the MoPH, in co-operation with public and private sector institutions, has developed strategic plans to achieve this goal through the National Cancer Strategy 2011-2016 and the National Cancer Framework 2017-2022, noting that the QCIC is one of its important outputs.He added that the QCIC is working to spread awareness of the disease and build bridges between healthcare providers and researchers to ensure the advancement of health services provided to cancer patients.Chair of the Board of Cancer Governors Lord Ara Darzi said that Qatar's support and guidance for health strategies showed its results through the distinguished level of services provided to cancer patients.He explained that National Cancer Strategy laid the foundation for distinguished health services, then the National Cancer Framework came to complete this process by building a complete system that covers all stages of the disease, starting with the early detection, through developing treatment systems and ending with encouraging scientific research in this field.MoPH Director of Public Health Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani said Qatar attaches great importance to the health sector in improving the health of Qatari society and achieving the goals of QNV 2030.He stressed that the MoPH is working continuously to raise health services according to the highest levels of global evaluation, through the development of national plans and programmes for the various health sectors, including cancer.He also explained that QCIC will constitute an important reference for every researcher, healthcare provider and community members, and will ensure permanent monitoring of cancer information in a manner that preserves the rights of the patient.The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qatar Cancer Society, Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Jabor al-Thani, praised the pivotal role and efforts led by the National Cancer Programme under the umbrella of the MoPH in the fight against cancer, praising the continuous co-operation between the Society and the National Cancer Programme in several areas, most notably the unified national initiatives to raise awareness of cancer, building the capacities of health workers through continuing medical education programmes, as well as co-operation in the field of Qatar National Cancer Control Plan 2023-2025, as well as co-operation with the National Cancer Registry in Qatar and inform them of the cancer registry data as well as with the Qatar Cancer Network.Acting Director of the National Cancer Programme Amid Abu Hmaidan gave a detailed presentation on the online platform of the QCICHe said that the QCIC is composed of three sections: Qatar National Cancer Registry (QNCR), the Qatar National Information Network (QNIN) and the Cancer Information Governance Board (CIGB).