The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) is set to launch a new initiative — the Integrated Mental Health Service — in the country.

The new community service will become available at the Al Thumama Health Centre from tomorrow as a pilot project, reported Gulf Times.

Depending on the pilot project’s success, the service will become gradually available at other health centres as well.

During the initial phase, the service will accept referrals from Al Thumama, Airport, Umm Ghuwailina, Al Wakra, and Mesaimeer health centres.

One of the main aims of the National Health Strategy is that by 2020, the PHCC should provide about 20% of mental health services currently offered in private hospitals.

The new service aims to provide full mental health services, such as diagnosing and preparing complete treatment plans, and follow-up plans for patients who used to be referred earlier to Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Psychiatry Hospital.

The service will feature integrated mental care, improved patient experience, and clinical results which will lead to decreased appointment waiting time in secondary care.

The PHCC has focused on providing this service through its 27 health centres covering all areas in Qatar.

The PHCC has provided training to more than 500 of its clinical staff and 1,800 nurses to have full awareness and clinical proficiency to identify and diagnose symptoms, and manage common mental issues such as anxiety, depression, and mental health diseases.

The PHCC has also launched its “Support Clinic” at five health centres: Leabaib, Rawdat Al Khail, Al Thumama, Al Wajbah, and Qatar University.

The PHCC registered 332,444 patient visits last year, with 180,094 of them female (54%) and 152,350 male (46%).

Over 6,351 cases were identified with light to medium anxiety and depression factors, of which 3,438 were anxiety cases and 2,913 depression factors.

All these cases were correctly managed, and 1,496 cases were referred to secondary care.

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Cover Image Credit: Gulf Times