Tribune News Network
Doha
THERE is an increasing demand for wound care services in Qatar owing to the steady population growth, rise in the incidence of chronic diseases and other serious illnesses as well as the number of patients undergoing surgery, according to Hamad General Hospital's Medical Director Dr Yousef al Maslamani.
One patient who is benefiting from Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) specialised multi-disciplinary Wound Care Unit is Haikel Lachiheb, a 32-year-old diabetic patient who developed a serious infection in his foot after sustaining a wound.
Lachiheb is one of 10,000 patients who have been successfully treated by HMC's specialised Wound Care Unit which was established in 2009 as part of the Ambulatory Care Services at Hamad General Hospital.
He first recognised there was a problem after undergoing a minor operation on his foot.
Lachiheb said he noticed the wound was not healing and after seeking medical attention he was told another operation was required. From there, he was referred to the wound care team for specialised treatment and follow-up care.
"When my open wound started to worsen, I was really afraid of the resulting consequences. Thankfully, I was provided with an urgent follow-up appointment with HMC's wound care service. The team there took special care of me," said Lachiheb.
Shaikha Ali al Qahtani, director of Nursing for Wound Care at HMC, said:"Most wounds that we see in diabetic patients heal slowly and can worsen rapidly, which means these patients, in particular, need to be closely monitored."
She added:"Along with treating Lachiheb's existing wound, we offered him important advice on what he could do to aid his healing process. As a diabetic patient, this meant working on controlling his blood sugar level through diet and teaching him to be aware of any open wounds developing so that they could be treated immediately. He was also advised to maintain good circulation to assist with the healing of his existing wounds and to help prevent the development of any wounds in the future."
Speaking about the care he received, Lachiheb said:"I am grateful for the thorough care I received from the excellent team of nurses and doctors in the Wound Care Unit at HMC. Equipped with the best technology and high-quality medical team, they exceeded all my expectations."