MoPH enhances preparedness of school health providers to manage asthma cases in govt schools

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Public Health has recently organised a training workshop for around 90 health service providers from the Primary Health C...

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Public Health has recently organised a training workshop for around 90 health service providers from the Primary Health Care Corporation working in government schools, to strengthen their readiness to manage asthma cases within the school environment and equip them with the skills required to apply internationally recognised best health practices.

The workshop was held within the framework of implementing the “Asthma-Friendly Schools” Programme, as part of the Ministry of Public Health’s efforts to promote the health of students in government schools and to support students living with asthma, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Health Strategy 2024–2030.

The workshop reviewed the mechanism for implementing the “Asthma-Friendly Schools” Programme and discussed follow-up and evaluation procedures. It also highlighted lessons learned from previous experiences, in addition to the early identification of asthma symptoms and triggers, the correct use of asthma medications and devices, and the application of rapid-response procedures during asthma attacks.

It further addressed guidelines for managing a student with asthma inside the school, the use of the peak-flow metre to improve monitoring, and the importance of encouraging every individual with asthma to have an asthma control plan. The workshop also emphasised empowering students to manage their health condition with confidence and independence and increasing awareness of asthma triggers and irritants and their connection with environmental health.

Director of the Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Programmes Department at the Ministry of Public Health, Sheikh Dr Mohamed bin Hamad Al Thani stressed the importance of the Asthma-Friendly Schools Programme in enhancing student health and ensuring a safe educational environment for students with asthma. He pointed out that the integration of efforts between the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Primary Health Care Corporation and Hamad Medical Corporation constitutes a foundation for strengthening the quality of healthcare services provided in schools.