Tribune News Network
Doha
THE Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced the development of Qatar’s first cross-organisational cancer awareness calendar through a unique collaboration and partnership between some of the country’s leading healthcare organisations who work towards the prevention and treatment of cancer.
The collaboration includes the MoPH, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and Qatar Cancer Society (QCS).The calendar reflects the collaborative efforts of health organisations towards achieving the vision of the National Cancer Framework 2017-2022 and provides an opportunity for uniting efforts of stakeholders within Qatar to raise awareness of cancer.
Dr Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad al Thani, director of Public health Department in the ministry, said:”The participation of Public Health Department in the development of the cancer awareness calendar comes as no single organisation or even government – no matter how hard they try- can combat cancer. Therefore, we believe it is crucial to use this calendar to coordinate and synergise the efforts of all partners to reduce early deaths from cancer and other chronic diseases by 25 percent by 2025, which is the target set by the National Health Strategy 2018-2022.”
Catherine Gillespie, director of MoPH’s National Cancer Program (NCP), said:”The launch of the National Cancer Framework last year has renewed the commitment of stakeholders to work together to improve the awareness of the population about the risks of developing cancer. We look forward to ongoing collaboration in public awareness events.”
Michel Harkous, director of Nursing and Education at the National Center for Cancer Care Research, HMC, said:”The development of Qatar’s first cross-organisational calendar is a great opportunity for health partners to work closer than ever before. Our joint efforts over the years have significantly improved the survival rates for cancer patients through education, diagnosis and treatment. Cancer has a significant impact on the lives of Qatar’s population and the only way to reduce its impact is through collaboration, partnership and teamwork.”
Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha, Cancer Programme manager at PHCC, said:”This coordinated calendar allows us to further develop our awareness drives and outreach initiatives to achieve maximum results and engage with a wider audience.”
Mariam al Noaimi, general manager of Qatar Cancer Society welcomed all avenues of cooperation with health organisations in Qatar, noting that cancer control needs constant collaboration.”This calendar reflects the real cooperation between health institutions that work together in cancer awareness,” she said.
The calendar identifies dedicated cancer awareness months based on evidence-based incidence data published by the Qatar National Cancer Registry. It also recognises international cancer awareness days. This annual calendar will also highlight National Cancer Framework initiatives, including cancer awareness ambassadors and the experiences of patients living with cancer and beyond cancer (i.e. cancer survivors).
