Doha: The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has launched the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) clinic at Qatar University Health Center, marking a new step in PHCC’s efforts to expand its services dedicated to the older population.

According to Qatar News Agency, this development follows the inauguration of three identical pilot clinics in the Leabaib, Al Wajbah, and Rawdat Al Khail health centers. Conducted in collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation’s Geriatric and Long-term Service Department, PHCC has designated these clinics for older persons who are above the age of 60 in order to provide them with integrated and person-centered care supervised by a multidisciplinary team.

These clinics operate as part of the World Health Organization’s ICOPE pilot program that aims to address the physiological changes associated with aging, given the likelihood of physical and cognitive decline with age. Among their services are screenings for visual impairment, hearing loss, cognitive decline and depressive symptoms, malnutrition, and mobility loss and falls.

Offered to Qatar University Health Center registered patients currently, where eligible individuals are identified and invited for assessment. A later announcement will be made once the service is open to referrals from all other health centers.