Doha, September 29 (QNA) - Qatar's Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has held a series of health education sessions for older adults as part of its ongoing collaboration with the Center for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly (EHSAN).
Four sessions were held at EHSAN clubs during September, focusing on healthy aging, chronic disease prevention and cardiovascular health.
The program was delivered by PHCC's Health Education Section under its Clinical Operations Directorate. It is part of the corporation's efforts to provide preventive health education outside clinical settings and make information about healthy living more accessible to older people.
Director of Clinical Operations and Senior Consultant Family Medicine at PHCC Dr. Maryam Al Emadi said the partnership with EHSAN supported efforts to improve the health and quality of life of older adults while helping them maintain their independence.
Manager of Health Education and Consultant Community Medicine at PHCC Dr. Sarah Rashid Musa said healthy aging involved more than treating illnesses after they developed.
She said it also included maintaining functional ability, independence, participation and quality of life, with an emphasis on prevention, early identification of risk factors and healthy lifestyle practices.
The sessions covered common conditions affecting older adults, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic respiratory conditions. Participants were introduced to modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors and received guidance on nutrition, physical activity, sleep, psychological wellbeing, smoking cessation, medication adherence, vaccination and preventive screening.
They were also encouraged to monitor indicators such as blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol and weight, while recognizing that individual health targets can vary according to age, medical conditions and treatment.
Dr. Musa said small and sustainable changes, such as increasing daily movement, reducing salt intake, improving sleep or attending medical follow-ups, could contribute to longer-term health benefits.
Interactive activities during the sessions included identifying individual risk factors, building a healthy plate, discussing safe physical activity and selecting a practical health behavior to adopt and maintain.
PHCC said its continued work with EHSAN aims to strengthen preventive care, person-centered services and community engagement, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, the National Health Strategy and PHCC's Corporate Strategic Plan 2024-2030. (QNA)