Maternal and child health
Qatar is well known for its reputation in the area of prenatal care, as statistics indicate that 92% of Qatari women received at least 4 medical examinations during pregnancy, while more than 95% of them reported having undergone blood pressure testing, and analyzing urine and blood samples during those examinations. On the other hand, the available data document the widespread prevalence of pregnancy diabetes in Qatar, as obesity is one of the risk factors for developing it.
Health repercussions
Failure to receive adequate antenatal health care increases the risk of complications during childbirth, and limits the ability to diagnose the conditions of newborn babies; while the absence of health care after childbirth causes the possibility of undiagnosed mother or child illnesses, and contributes to injury The mother is depressed.
A study conducted by the Primary Health Care Corporation in 2010/2011 indicates that the prevalence of this condition is 17.6%, and the study conducted on a sample of females who were discharged from hospitals after birth showed that after 3 months of birth:
- 22% of them showed symptoms of depression
- 21% of them showed unexplained symptoms of depression
Health goals related to maternal and child health
- Improve the health and well-being of mothers and children by setting up programs for medical screening for postpartum depression, diagnosing the health status of mothers and children, and providing health care for them
- Establishing a special department for maternal and child health in the Ministry of Public Health
- Establish a pre-pregnancy health care service that evaluates evidence-proof risks and provides health-promoting medical consultations in the context of primary health care
- Implement initiatives that encourage and promote breastfeeding through education and counseling within the framework of primary health care