PHOTO
09 May 2017
By Fazeena Saleem
Qatar’s fight against cancer got a big boost with the launch of National Cancer Framework 2017-2022 ‘Achieving Excellence in Cancer care: A vision for 2022’ yesterday, which aims to ensure the highest quality cancer care in the country and the region.
The Minister of Public Health H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, launched the new five-year plan to build on the significant progress made in cancer care as a result of the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy 2011-2016.
The National Cancer Strategy 2011-2016, was the first disease specific strategy launched in Qatar under the patronage of H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser in 2011.
The National Cancer Framework 2017-2022 will have a significant focus for the next five years on cancer patient pathway.
It will cover the whole pathway of cancer care including education, prevention, early detection, rapid and definitive diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care.
The framework has an increased focus on understanding the patient experience, and working with patients in the development of services.
It will also aim at reducing the number of people seeking cancer care abroad.
“It had been hugely encouraging to watch the development of Cancer services in Qatar. The National Cancer Strategy 2011-2016 was a significant step in our country’s journey to increase public awareness of all aspects of cancer and the services available," said Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari .
"The achievements of this strategy, inclusive of the improvements in care delivered, have been well documented but I would like to draw attention in particular to improvements in engagement with our patients and communities. By improving our understanding of the needs of our patients, we are delivering care that is not just of high clinical quality, but has a meaningful positive impact on people’s lives,” said Dr Al Kuwari.
“Through implementation of the programmes set out in this framework, cancer services in Qatar have the opportunity to become among the best in the world. It is important that the whole system is clear in its commitment to coming together and working with a common purpose to deliver the quality of services and experience that our families, friends and community deserve,” she added.
The event, held at the Ministry of Public Health, was attended by Professor the Lord Ara Darzi of Denham, a leading cancer surgeon and chair of the National Cancer Committee; Dr Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Director Public Health, Ministry of Public Health; Dr Mariam Abdul Malik, Managing Director, Primary Health Care Corporation; Dr Khalid Al Rumaihi, Senior Consultant Surgeon, Urology, MDT Chair, Hamad Medical Corporation; Prof. Alexander Knuth, Medical Director and CEO National Centre for Cancer Care and Research and several other experts.
“The new framework is a continuity of the work we started five years ago in Qatar for the transformation of cancer care, in many ways we aim to improve from good to great in the next five years. The strategy we set five years ago which is to reduce the prevalence of cancer by prevention and early diagnosis and better treatment. The Framework is to revisit this pathway to see the areas we need to look at in more detail,” said Lord Darzi addressing a press conference following the launch of National Cancer Framework 2017-2022.
Referring to the number of patients seeking cancer care abroad, Dr Lord Darzi said that the numbers have reduced significantly in the past five years. “Many cancer patients in Qatar are seeking care abroad, when it could be provided at a high quality in Qatar, confidence in the quality of care in Qatar must be improved. With my experience working in other countries such as the UK and US, I can say the treatment provided and technology available in Qatar is exceptional,” he added.
According to Dr Lord Darzi between 80 to 99 percent goals set under National Cancer Strategy 2011-2016 in different categories have been achieved. “The cancer treatment landscape has changed significantly over five years, more patients are being diagnosed earlier with the launch of national screening programs and more patients are living with and beyond cancer,” he said.
Also the availability of cancer specific data has grown significantly over the last five years.
By Fazeena Saleem
Qatar’s fight against cancer got a big boost with the launch of National Cancer Framework 2017-2022 ‘Achieving Excellence in Cancer care: A vision for 2022’ yesterday, which aims to ensure the highest quality cancer care in the country and the region.
The Minister of Public Health H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, launched the new five-year plan to build on the significant progress made in cancer care as a result of the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy 2011-2016.
The National Cancer Strategy 2011-2016, was the first disease specific strategy launched in Qatar under the patronage of H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser in 2011.
The National Cancer Framework 2017-2022 will have a significant focus for the next five years on cancer patient pathway.
It will cover the whole pathway of cancer care including education, prevention, early detection, rapid and definitive diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care.
The framework has an increased focus on understanding the patient experience, and working with patients in the development of services.
It will also aim at reducing the number of people seeking cancer care abroad.
“It had been hugely encouraging to watch the development of Cancer services in Qatar. The National Cancer Strategy 2011-2016 was a significant step in our country’s journey to increase public awareness of all aspects of cancer and the services available," said Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari .
"The achievements of this strategy, inclusive of the improvements in care delivered, have been well documented but I would like to draw attention in particular to improvements in engagement with our patients and communities. By improving our understanding of the needs of our patients, we are delivering care that is not just of high clinical quality, but has a meaningful positive impact on people’s lives,” said Dr Al Kuwari.
“Through implementation of the programmes set out in this framework, cancer services in Qatar have the opportunity to become among the best in the world. It is important that the whole system is clear in its commitment to coming together and working with a common purpose to deliver the quality of services and experience that our families, friends and community deserve,” she added.
The event, held at the Ministry of Public Health, was attended by Professor the Lord Ara Darzi of Denham, a leading cancer surgeon and chair of the National Cancer Committee; Dr Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, Director Public Health, Ministry of Public Health; Dr Mariam Abdul Malik, Managing Director, Primary Health Care Corporation; Dr Khalid Al Rumaihi, Senior Consultant Surgeon, Urology, MDT Chair, Hamad Medical Corporation; Prof. Alexander Knuth, Medical Director and CEO National Centre for Cancer Care and Research and several other experts.
“The new framework is a continuity of the work we started five years ago in Qatar for the transformation of cancer care, in many ways we aim to improve from good to great in the next five years. The strategy we set five years ago which is to reduce the prevalence of cancer by prevention and early diagnosis and better treatment. The Framework is to revisit this pathway to see the areas we need to look at in more detail,” said Lord Darzi addressing a press conference following the launch of National Cancer Framework 2017-2022.
Referring to the number of patients seeking cancer care abroad, Dr Lord Darzi said that the numbers have reduced significantly in the past five years. “Many cancer patients in Qatar are seeking care abroad, when it could be provided at a high quality in Qatar, confidence in the quality of care in Qatar must be improved. With my experience working in other countries such as the UK and US, I can say the treatment provided and technology available in Qatar is exceptional,” he added.
According to Dr Lord Darzi between 80 to 99 percent goals set under National Cancer Strategy 2011-2016 in different categories have been achieved. “The cancer treatment landscape has changed significantly over five years, more patients are being diagnosed earlier with the launch of national screening programs and more patients are living with and beyond cancer,” he said.
Also the availability of cancer specific data has grown significantly over the last five years.
© The Peninsula 2017
