12 May 2018 – 10:14
By Fazeena Saleem / The Peninsula
DOHA: Nursing profession is critical in primary health care and the importance of its role has significantly changed during the recent times in the country’s healthcare system.
Its capacity and responsibility to influence the present and future of health care system is vital, says Aisha Al Qahtani, a Qatari nurse at the Primary Health Care Corporation’s (PHCC) Mesaimeer Health Centre.
At present PHCC has 1,900 nurses employed and about 1.5 percent of them are Qataris. “Nursing has a unique role in the health system as we make direct contact with patients. Nurses not only provide services and help patients improve their health but they also improve the whole system. Unlike earlier days we have the facilities and an efficient healthcare model at health centers that can empower nurses,” she told The Peninsula.
“At several instances nurses can work together with family physicians at some health centres and support them when needed. We are also leading in many research initiatives and getting involved in awareness programs in educating public,” said Aisha.
PHCC is also supporting its nurses to further enhance their qualifications and skills by facilitating them to study at the University of Calgary in Qatar (UCQ) and by providing wide training programs together with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
“PHCC is implementing the Qatar National Vision 2030 especially in human development. They especially encourage the Qatari nurses to continue education which will help us develop skills and knowledge. There are also many opportunities given to nurses such as to take part in training programs held in collaboration with the MoPH and HMC as well as in conferences.
“Also nurses get the chance to take part in training workshops delivered by PHCC,” said Aisha who will obtain her Master’s degree in Nursing from the UCQ tomorrow.
While many Qatari girls, see nursing as a challenging profession, Aisha says the benefits and the opportunities are vast and she encourages more Qatari girls to consider pursuing it as a career.
“Nursing is a noble profession and its image in our society should change. I hope this will encourage more Qatari women to take up nursing as a profession. We have a very unique opportunity to provide care and services for our people in an environment that is caring, innovative and allows one to learn life and career skills every step of the way. If anyone looking to make a profession in healthcare they should consider nursing,” she said.
Further, as the tireless efforts of nurses all over the world are celebrated every year on May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth in 1820, Aisha says nurses at the Mesaimeer Health Centre will be appreciated today for the role they play.
