Qatar Health Ministry Program educates social workers and educators about cancer 

In an effort to raise cancer awareness and dispel stereotypes, the Ministry of Public Health conducted a two-day training programme for social workers and professionals at public preparatory and secondary schools. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Hamad Medical Corporation, Primary Health Care Institutions, and the Qatar Cancer Society co-hosted the event.

The effort, which aimed to increase public awareness of cancer, prevention and treatment approaches, and early detection, garnered 71 school social work specialists (male and female).

The event's goal was to dispel cancer beliefs, shed light on how to emotionally manage the condition, and reach an agreement on the necessary measures and processes that relevant institutions can conduct in cancer prevention.

Working papers describing effective global experiences with school-based cancer detection and treatment programmes were discussed at the workshop.

In this regard, Dr. Kholoud Al-Mutawa, Head of the Ministry of Public Health's Noncommunicable Diseases Section, stated that the workshop was part of a national campaign to correct cancer misconceptions, and that it aimed to consolidate efforts to raise awareness and correct cancer misconceptions in order to build a healthier and brighter world free of cancer, as well as provide more opportunities to build global awareness and take the neoad.

She went on to note that the Ministry of Public Health is continuing its efforts in the areas of health promotion, cancer prevention, and myth dispelling through the efforts of various work teams and the implementation of multiple specialized programmes and projects. She also praised the Ministry, Hamad Medical Corporation, primary health care institutions in this field, and the Qatar Cancer Society for their ongoing collaboration in order to meet the global goal of reducing early cancer mortality by 25% by 2025.