CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) on Thursday launched its new website, with a host of new services that enable people to register with PHCC and get sick leave electronically.
The new website — www.phcc.gov.qa — was launched by PHCC Managing Director Dr Mariam Abdul Malik. The website is user-friendly, effective and designed according to the latest standards used in international websites, and provides easy access to services and information on PHCC and its various departments and health centres.
The website, which has been redeveloped and launched in both Arabic and English, also supports accessibility options for persons with colorblindness, visual impairment, and is tailored to fit all types of computer and smartphone screens.
The website provides access to PHCC’s services through the use of digital technology such as new patient registration service, request a report from the medical record service, new patient appointment, cancellation of appointment, and re-scheduling of appointment of health centre patients services. Besides one can change family physician service, change the health centre according to the place of residence and add dependent to the same family services. All of which can be done electronically without having to go to health centres.
"We do have an existing website but we meant to have some updates to keep pace with advancing technology. It gives a lot of information, activities, roles and responsibilities of each department and the services we provide in the primary health care to the community,” Dr Abdul Malik said.
"There are extensive services added to the website like electronic sick leave and electronic registration. For electronic registration, there will be a second phase very soon to allow people to book their appointments which were a need for the community,” she added.
The PHCC ICT team has worked to secure and protect the e-services provided and to ensure the confidentiality of patient information exchange through the new website against cyberattacks, particularly during crises, most notably the COVID–19 pandemic.
More than 120 pages have been created with content of interest to the general public and in a way that ensures that the reader can easily browse these pages as they contain useful information for visitors, such as PHCC’s profile, patients and clients, clinics and services, and health centres information pages.
Dr Abdul Malik further said, "With this development, PHCC’s website has shifted from its information and archival services to a new status, providing e-services that make it easier for patients to benefit from many services without having to attend health centers.”
Executive Director of Health Information & Communication Technology (HICT) at PHCC Alexandra Tarazi said the PHCC is moving online to with a number of e-services and patients will no longer be required to visit the health centre to register.
"They can submit all their documents online and receive a confirmation that their registration was accepted or not. If there are any missing documents, this will be communicated online. For new registrations, we will be able to take appointments very shortly. Father or mother can add their children or dependants, elderly parents and request their heath card online and their registration online. We will also be able to do medication deliveries through the online service via mobile application. Patients will have much more control on the delivery time, when do they expect to deliver the medication, among others.”
Assistant Managing Director at PHCC Musallam Al Nabat said, "This development comes in implementation of the state’s directives to switch to e-services that save time and effort and meet expectations as this development is one of several other stages we plan to keep abreast of new developments.”
Executive Director of Financial and Administrative Affairs at PHCC Abdullah Mohammed Al Mansoori said, "Here, we look forward to seeing this portal as one-platform to introduce the services provided by PHCC, spread awareness, and present all our activities and events through which we can achieve the objectives of the National Health Strategy.”People can soon make appointments online