QATAR – The State of Qatar has unveiled its new four-year nationwide cancer strategic framework under the slogan ‘Excellence for All’.
The Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-2026 focuses on 23 strategic goals covered in seven chapters aimed at bringing new approaches to comprehensive cancer care services in Qatar.
The Qatar Cancer Plan outlines a multi-stakeholder approach to comprehensive cancer care, including awareness, prevention, early detection, proper diagnosis, holistic treatment, and palliative care.
It brings in a coherent strategic collaborative approach between all health authorities in the country to follow the patient’s entire path.
Over the next four years, it will provide strategies to increase access to cancer screening programs and promote awareness initiatives thus helping tackle the growing number of cancer patients in Qatar.
The new strategic plan was launched in the presence of the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
The official document was launched during a solemn ceremony held at the Itqan Clinical Simulation and Innovation Center at Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City.
The event drew the participation of the Minister of Public Health of the State of Qatar, Her Excellency Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, and the Director of the Public Health Department at the Ministry of Public Health, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal, the Chair of the National Cancer Governance Council Professor Lord Darzi, and high-level officials were also present at the ceremony.
In her address, Qatar’s Minister of Public Health, Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, said: “Through the Qatar Cancer Plan for Excellence for All, we strive to continuously improve the care we provide to cancer patients, their families, and the community.”
The four-year strategic plan aims to ensure that the people of Qatar have access to the best possible care and establish the country as a regional leader in cancer care.
This strategic plan builds upon the success achieved through the National Cancer Strategy 2011-2016 and the National Cancer Framework 2017-2022, which have contributed to achieving excellence in cancer care in Qatar.
Commenting on the remarkable progress, Qatar’s Director of the Public Health Department at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, stated: “The achievements of the National Cancer Framework 2017-2022 were satisfying.”
It is a core planning document that sets strategies for prevention and public education, early detection and screening, qualitative therapy and ongoing care, comprehensive support, childhood cancers, observation and research, and strategic factors.
“Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-2026 lays the foundation for a new aspect of comprehensive cancer care, which includes the psychological and social aspects of patients,” underscored Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani.
Moreover, the Qatar Cancer Plan was co-developed by key health-related stakeholders in Qatar with the support of global experts in the World Health Organisation.
It focuses on developing clinical research and supporting international cooperation in the field of cancer care through the establishment of the Cancer Research Office at the Ministry of Public Health.
The new strategic plan is aligned with the framework of the State of Qatar’s keenness to provide the best sustainable health services to the current and future generations towards the attainment of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Speaking on the importance of early detection, Dr. Sheikha Abu Sheikha underscored: “The Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-2026 focuses on enhancing the quality and accessibility of currently available services.”
Dr. Sheikha Abu Sheikha pointed out that the new strategic plan has the potential to accelerate the adoption of innovative and patient-friendly technology in cancer care in the country.
What’s more, the Qatar Cancer Plan will complement new national cancer early-detection programs launched in different parts of the country.
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