QRI offering high-quality care to persons with disabilities
Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) state-of-the-art Qatar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI) is continuing to provide high-quality care to patients with disabilities.
The QRI has significantly expanded HMC’s capacity to care for patients with impairments and activity limitations, including those recovering from illness and traumatic injury. The facility, which is the region’s largest tertiary rehabilitation hospital, includes seven hydrotherapy pools and 10 dedicated exercise rooms, providing patients with faster access to specialised rehabilitative care.
In recognition of the International Day of Disabled Persons, Dr Wafa al-Yazeedi, chairperson, QRI, said HMC is focused on helping individuals with disabilities to access the care they need.
She said that QRI provides world-class integrated rehabilitation services and the most technologically-advanced patientcentred care.
“The QRI offers five main rehabilitation programmes, including programmes for patients who are recovering from a stroke, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury, as well as for patients with pain management and paediatric rehabilitation care needs,” she said, adding that QRI also provides general rehabilitation services that include inpatient care and rehabilitation, day care rehabilitation, outpatient rehabilitation, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and community-based rehabilitation.
She said many people incorrectly assume that accidents and traumatic injury are the most likely causes of disability. According to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, less than 10% of disability cases are caused by accidents.
Dr al-Yazeedi said most permanent disabilities can be prevented, especially if the disabling illness is discovered early enough for medical intervention to be effective.
According to the UN, worldwide, around 1bn people live with a disability which is roughly 15% of the global population. On December 3 each year, the world recognises International Day of Disabled Persons to celebrate the achievements of people living with disabilities. It is also a day dedicated to promoting awareness of the challenges faced by people living with disabilities, and the role communities and societies play in accelerating the eradication of barriers to social inclusion, equity, participation, and citizenship.