Expanding NCD screening efforts show strong focus on early detection

DOHA: Qatar s non communicable disease (NCD) screening programmes demonstrate a growing national commitment to early detection, comprehensive healthca...

DOHA: Qatar’s non-communicable disease (NCD) screening programmes demonstrate a growing national commitment to early detection, comprehensive healthcare, and long-term disease prevention, according to a new study published in the November edition of Qatar Journal of Public Health.

The narrative review, titled “Insights on primary care-based non-communicable diseases screening for adults in Qatar,” emphasizes that the success of these programs lies not only in identifying diseases at earlier stages but also in improving quality of life, reducing complications, and preventing premature deaths.

Drawing on operational reports from the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and a selection of published local studies, the review offers insights into three major screening pillars: annual health checkups, cancer screening, and mental health assessments.

Annual health checkups, introduced for Qataris in 2017 and extended to residents in 2022, have revealed significant prevalence of NCD risk factors such as prediabetes, hypertension, and obesity which underscores the value of early detection. By 2023, participation reached 22% among eligible Qataris and 3.2% among residents, with detection rates including 25.5% for prediabetes and nearly 45% for obesity.

Cancer screening initiatives for breast, bowel, and cervical cancers have steadily expanded, with breast cancer coverage recovering from a pandemic-related drop to reach 41.8% in its latest round, while bowel cancer screening has increased to 26.7% participation. Cervical cancer screening remains opportunistic, pending ongoing evaluation by the Ministry of Public Health for possible transition to a full national screening program.