HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani opening the new health centre as HE the Minister of Public Health Abdullah bin Khalid al-Qahtani and Public Works Authority (Ashghal) president engineer Nasser bin Ali al-Mawlawi look on.

By Joseph Varghese
Staff Reporter

The Leabaib Health Centre, the first wellness health centre in Qatar and the GCC region, was opened on Sunday by HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, who is also the chairman of the Supreme Council of Health.

HE the Minister of Public Health Abdullah bin Khalid al-Qahtani, Public Works Authority (Ashghal) president engineer Nasser bin Ali al-Mawlawi, Public Health Care Corporation (PHCC) managing director Dr Mariam Abdulmalik and several other officials were present at the inauguration ceremony.

After the ceremony, HE the Prime Minister toured the health centre and was briefed about the medical services and the various specialised clinics in providing medical care to patients.

Speaking on the occasion, HE al-Qahtani disclosed that two similar health centres will be opened in Umm Salal and Rawdat Al Khail, in addition to nine others in the near future.

Qatar is giving priority to health spending, and the government continues to implement health projects. There is a clear long-term strategy for the health sector. A capital plan has been developed in line with the needs of the country, with time plans and approved financial allocations.

HE al-Qahtani also underlined the importance of investment in the field of primary healthcare as the first line of defence, both in terms of prevention and early treatment.

The Leabaib Health Centre has a number of health services and specialised facilities. The new centre has additional services which are not available in the existing health centres. Moreover, the centre also has a Medical Commission unit.

According to PHCC officials, the centre, spread over 10,000 sqm, has more than 65 clinics and treatment rooms. The centre aims to register 10,000 patients in the initial year with 3,000 registrations already completed.

The centre has 26 consultant clinics and 10 dental clinics. The new facility also has six maternal and child clinics as well as two prenuptial examination clinics.

The health centre has three physiotherapy clinics and is equipped with the Clinical Information System. The centre will also provide several additional facilities such as a gym, swimming pool and sauna. It has 465 parking spaces.

Health promotion, prevention and recovery services, treatment of eye and skin diseases, mental health and other services and disciplines that are specific to the primary healthcare will be provided at the new centre.