Doha, Qatar – 4 February, 2019: Having received an overwhelming response for its cancer screening programs, Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) is pleased to announce the expansion of its existing screening suite in Leabaib Health Center. The opening of the expanded screening suite was graced by Dr Mariam Abdulmalik, Managing Director of PHCC, along with Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha, Manager of Screening Programs at PHCC.

In the expanded suite, all the steps of screening will take place in the same space. The suite is characterized by a higher capacity that reaches 180 visitors per day, more nurses rooms, more screening rooms and follow up rooms with extended working hours, in addition to separate male and female entrances.

This expansion is part of PHCC’s approach to offer bigger space and increase the screening capacity in the clinics starting with Leabaib Health center, which will be followed by an expansion plan in Rawdat Al Khail Health center later in the year.

On this occasion, Dr Mariam Abdulmalik, Managing Director of PHCC, said: “It has been an eventful journey for PHCC in creating awareness in Qatar on the timely screening of breast & bowel cancer where in 2018 only we provided breast screening for 7,623 ladies, and bowel screening for 9,351 participants. The program in general and since its launch in 2016 has screened more than 50,000 people and we are overwhelmed with the amazing response received so far. Looking at the growing awareness, the expansion strategy of our present screening centers would augur well in encompassing the growth in the number of participants coming for screening and gathering information. This expansion strategy would be replicated for other centers as well to offer ease and convenience to the visitors coming out in larger numbers and helping us in achieving our mission of Healthier Qatar in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.”

Dr Shaikha Abu Shaikha, Manager of Screening Programs at PHCC, said: “PHCC through Screen for Life Program has been aiming to offer the best screening services for the nation of Qatar and the expansion strategy augurs well towards achieving our mission of screening all the eligible population of Qatar in dedicated suites that apply a very smooth flow. 

“We are happy to expand our current capacity of screening at Leabaib Health center and the same will follow at Rawdat Al Khail Health Center. We are confident that the year 2019 will prove to be extremely beneficial in spreading our motive at various parts of Qatar, thereby eventually making it the healthiest region to live in,” she added.

With the benefit of the expanded space, Breast cancer screening at Leabaib Health center for women between 45 – 69 years will now take only 20 minutes for each appointment. Besides this, a second Mammogram room is added doubling the capacity of the screening suite to reach 90 visitors per day and 450 visitors per week.

As for bowel screening which targets men and women 50 – 74 years, the total capacity per day is now significantly higher, it reaches 96 visitors per day and 480 per week. The appointments are even shorter than those in breast screening clinics since the participant will take the screening kit home where they will do the FIT test. The bowel screening center will also have two assessment clinics for both men and women with specific opening hours.

The clinic houses well-trained staff; receptionists, nurses, mammogram technicians and radiologists. Together they will make sure the screening flow is completed smoothly and participants inquiries -if any- are answered fully. The staff speaks different languages including Arabic, English, Indian and Tagalog.

Participants are requested to call the dedicated number 800 1112 to book appointments and they are required to arrive 30 minutes ahead of their appointment. Walk-ins are welcomed also; however, appointments will save waiting times.