Al-Juma'a to Al-Jarida: Strengthening Electronic Linkage Between Primary and Secondary Healthcare

Dr. Nadia Juma, Assistant Undersecretary for Primary Health Care Affairs at the Ministry of Health, affirmed the ministry’s commitment to the continuous expansion of services provided in the country. She highlighted efforts to strengthen electronic integration between primary and secondary healthcare, thereby supporting the integration of health services.

In a statement to Al-Jarida, on the sidelines of the launch of an awareness campaign for the early detection of the most prevalent cancers, Juma emphasized the importance of periodic awareness events organized by the ministry to promote a culture of early cancer detection. She noted that detecting the disease in its early stages increases treatment chances and facilitates patients’ access to necessary health services.

Speaking at the event, organized by the Primary Health Care Administration in the Capital Governorate under the theme “Early Detection... A Step Toward a Better Life,” she stated that the awareness campaign focused on the importance of early detection of several types of cancer, including prostate, breast, colon, and cervical cancer. She explained that the ministry is working to facilitate access to screening services by making them available through clinics at primary health care centers, which helps in identifying cases and referring them more quickly to hospitals and specialized authorities.

For her part, Dr. Amal Al-Saqqabi, Director of Primary Health Care in the Capital Health Region, confirmed that the event stems from the ministry’s commitment to enhancing community health awareness, consolidating a culture of prevention, and encouraging community members to take care of their health and undergo necessary screenings for early cancer detection.

Al-Saqqabi told Al-Jarida that the event was organized in collaboration with national programs focused on combating breast, prostate, colon, and cervical cancers, with the aim of informing the public about the importance of early detection, providing accurate health information, and introducing available screenings at primary health care centers and hospitals.

She added that specialized clinics for chronic diseases are available in 26 health centers in the Capital Region, operating daily during morning hours, while some centers also operate in the evening, allowing patients to monitor their health status and undergo periodic and preventive screenings.

She stressed the importance of the role of family doctors and primary health care physicians in prevention and awareness, alongside their therapeutic role, by directing community members to appropriate clinics and screenings. She noted that there are 27 primary health care centers in the Capital Region, and the 27th center is being equipped with specialized clinics for maternal health, ENT, and ophthalmology, following its operational opening. Its official inauguration will be announced after the completion of all preparations.

For her part, Dr. Shaima Al-Faris, Family Medicine Consultant and Head of the Hamidi and Sidraoui Health Center, said the event coincides with the observance of Pink October, which focuses on early detection of breast cancer. She noted that the Capital Health Region has expanded its awareness campaign to include four types of cancer: breast, cervical, prostate, and colon.

She pointed out that early detection of breast cancer begins at age 40, while early detection of colon cancer begins at age 45 for both men and women. She also recommended regular cervical cancer screening after the onset of sexual activity.