Doha resident, Haikel Lachiheb receives a specialised care from HMC’s dedicated Wound Care Unit staff.
There is an increasing demand for wound care services in the country due to the steady population growth and rise in the incidence of chronic diseases and other serious illnesses as well as the number of patients undergoing surgery, according to Dr Yousef Al Maslamani, Medical Director at Hamad General Hospital.
Haikel Lachiheb, a 32-year-old diabetic patient who developed a serious infection in his foot after acquiring a wound, is among thousand patients who are benefiting from Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) specialised multi-disciplinary Wound Care Unit. The unit was established in 2009 as part of the Ambulatory Care Services at Hamad General Hospital.
Lachiheb first recognised there was a problem after undergoing a minor operation on his foot. He has noticed that the wound was not healing and after seeking medical attention he was advised for another operation. From there he was referred to the wound care team for specialised treatment and follow-up care.
“Thankfully, I was provided with an urgent follow-up appointment with HMC’s wound care service. The team there took special care of me,” said Lachiheb.
Shaikha Ali Al Qahtani, Director of Nursing for Wound Care at HMC, said,“Most wounds that we see in diabetic patients heal slowly and can worsen rapidly, which means these patients, in particular, need to be closely monitored.”
“Along with treating Lachiheb’s existing wound, we offered him important advice on what he could do to aid his healing process. As a diabetic patient, this meant working on controlling his blood sugar level through diet and teaching him to be aware of any open wounds developing so they could be treated immediately. He was also advised to maintain good circulation to assist with the healing of his existing wounds and to help prevent the development of any wounds in the future.”
Meanwhile, over 1,500 healthcare professionals from across the region will gather in Qatar today for the Second Qatar International Wound Management Conference 2017. HMC will host its second annual Wound Management Conference until November 25, under the patronage of the Ministry of Public Health. The conference will bring together experts and highlight the most recent innovations in wound care best practice.
