The World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates the anniversary of its foundation, with 193 member states, as the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

This year, WHO aims to focus on the close links between our surrounding environment and our health. Today’s campaign will urge individuals, communities, governments and organizations around the world to share their stories of the steps they are taking to protect both the environment and our health.

In this regard, Dr. Samya Ahmad Al Abdulla, Senior Consultant of Family Medicine & Executive Director of Operations at PHCC, said “health is high on the agendas of international organizations, as to provide for one’s health is essential to have a decent life. An individual needs to be provided by the health care suitable for him by his government. This is what countries are seeking: to enroll their citizens in the various health insurance programs they are providing, so that citizens in these countries receive their treatment at no charge or for token amounts. Such organizations supported health, encouraged initiatives, and organized global events that propagate a healthy culture and aim to combat epidemics and diseases.”

World Health Day reminds us to cooperate in health care. PHCC celebrates this occasion this year under the theme ‘Our Planet, Our Health’, to promote a healthy culture in the world. As health comes first, World Health Day has been created to draw attention to different health issues, as a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world is chosen every year.

We, in Qatar, attach great importance to health, and PHCC works to improve patients’ satisfaction and meet their demands and expectations by providing high quality services before at all times, in line with the strategy’s vision to deliver comprehensive, integrated, person-centered primary health care services in partnership with individuals, families, and communities to promote the health and well-being of all the people of Qatar.

PHCC has shown remarkable resilience throughout the pandemic by quickly adapting to its conditions. PHCC hastened implementation of its plans to digitize its services, as the years 2020 and 2021 witnessed the provision of remote medical consultations via video and audio calls, home delivery of medicines, PHCC’s upgraded website, and the launch of electronic services, the first of its kind in the health sector in Qatar.

In the past year, ‘Nar'aakom’ mobile application was also launched, which allows individuals to manage all issues related to their health and the health of their families from anywhere at any time.