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Tribune News Network
Doha
The Primary Health Care Corporation's (PHCC) 'Screen for Life'call centre made 66,209 outgoing calls for breast and bowel screening, with 38,431 invited for screening between February and December 2016.
To facilitate enquiries and appointments, PHCC set up the 'Screen for Life' call centre, designed to not only receive calls but also to proactively reach out to individuals to undergo a screening.
The PHCC has pledged to continue its drive in educating the local population about early cancer screening as it marks its first anniversary.
Celebrating 12 months after being appointed to implement the national Breast and Bowel Screening Program, 'Screen for Life', initiated by the Ministry of Public Health under Qatar's National Cancer Program in accordance with the country's National Health Strategy 2011-2016, PHCC has declared that it will drive further over the course of 2017.
"During our first year, the 'Screen for Life' Program has achieved some significant milestones as part of our drive and effort to encourage a great number of people to undertake screening. I am proud of what we have accomplished so far in our mission," said Dr Mariam Ali Abdulmalik, managing director of Primary Health Care Corporation.
"We started planning a wealth of engagement activities and initiatives to build on for year 2017 and I look forward to greater milestones being met in this new year," she added.
In recent months, PHCC marked the inauguration of its third screening facility, marking the expansion of its reach to Qatar's wider community. The screening suite in Rawdat Al Khail Health Center follows that of the Leabaib Health Center and Al Wakra Health Center, both opened earlier in 2016.
Among the key achievements marked by the programme was the launch of Qatar's first Mobile Screening Unit. Designed to offer breast screening services, the travelling suite has been utilised during various events and promotional activities to enhance outreach work and offer screening and guidance to a multitude of communities across the country.
Throughout the year, PHCC's 'Screen for Life' programme has participated in a number of lectures, conferences and seminars through strategic partnerships with education institutes, corporate entities and government bodies.
Public booths were also a key part of its marketing efforts with a presence within leading shopping malls and public walks or charity events.
