The CDC recorded more than 120,000 outpatient visits last year

The Center for Communicable Diseases (CDC) of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has provided care for more than 120,000 outpatient visits in 2018, the company said yesterday. A regional first, the facility is dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases.
According to the CDC Medical Director, Dr. Muna al-Maslamani, this specialized tertiary hospital is treating patients with various infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, the Middle East respiratory syndrome, influenza, measles, malaria, and other infections. hepatitis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. and a number of travel-related diseases and illnesses.
In addition to diagnosis, treatment and health education of diseases, contact screening is one of the most effective tools to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
"As the first facility of its kind in the region, we are proud to be the leading center for the treatment and control of infectious diseases. The CDC provides high quality patient care and strict infection control measures, "said Dr. al-Maslamani.
"Infectious diseases are disorders caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, and many can be easily pbaded from one person to the other. To help prevent the transmission of infectious diseases, we are reviewing all contacts of affected TB patients received at our facility. Last year, we conducted over 4,100 contact screenings, "she said.
Screening or contact tracing is one of the main ways to fight infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. The purpose of contact screening is to identify people who have been exposed to an infectious disease and to ensure that they receive appropriate treatment, if any.
Contact screenings for infections such as tuberculosis and latent TB not only stop the transmission of infection, but can also prevent the development of active disease in people who have been infected.
In addition to general outpatient visits and contact screenings, the CDC recorded nearly 40,000 direct observation (TOT) patient visits in 2018, the majority of which received anti-TB drugs. DOT is a method of administering a drug in which health professionals observe a person when taking each dose of a drug. This practice helps to ensure that patients receive all prescribed medications and is also used to monitor treatment response and prevent antimicrobial resistance.
Dr. al-Maslamani says that in addition to outpatient clinics, the CDC offers comprehensive hospitalization services to patients with infectious diseases requiring hospitalization. Last year, the facility supported more than 1,200 hospitalized patients.
The CDC is also home to the first dedicated and comprehensive travel clinic in Qatar. Opened in January 2017, this one-stop shop offers vaccinations and preventive information for people traveling abroad. It also offers badessment, treatment and counseling to people returning with travel-related illness.