What you need to know about Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Center (SQCCCRC) -
Al Yafea: "It is an integrated highly specialized hospital with various specialties related to the treatment of cancer patients!"
Al-Fahdia: "The Center not only provides services to the patient but is unique in providing services to the patient's family as well!"
Al-Saadi: "The Center does not diagnose cancer but begins its integrated journey in treating patients after the diagnosis stage!"
The Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Center in the Sultanate of Oman was established with a medical vision allowing cancer patients to receive specialized therapeutic services which are not limited to its patients (only) but extended to their families as well. This is a remarkable endeavor given to the Center’s patients together with their families. Researchers and trainees in the medical fields (Cancer) and related specialties similarly benefit this medical vision of SQCCCRC.
In this article we aim to answer a number of perceptions and inquiries raised by members of the community, giving the actual picture of “WHO WE ARE.”
In July 2021, SQCCCRC open its doors to provide excellent, evidence-based patient-centered care for cancer patients in the Sultanate of Oman. The Center exhibits state-of-the-art facilities leading-edge technology and treatment options pooled with healthcare professionals who are skilled and experience in treating cancer.
Ms. Intisar Al Yafei shared her views –“In the awareness events that I have participated, we faced questions from the audience thinking that SQCCCRC is somewhat similar to ‘health centers.’ I have enlightened the audience that the Center is an integrated highly specialized healthcare provider that has various specialties related to the treatment of cancer patients. That such Departments exists in the Center – Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Radiotherapy, Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Internal Medicine, Genetic Counselling, Palliative Care, Admission comprising of three floors, with an average of 29 single rooms on each floor, the ICU which hold an entire floor of the building to deliver patient care. In addition, specialized departments do exist – Psychological and Rehabilitative Care [Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Language and Speech].
Ms. Intisar further said – we aim for the Center to be a pioneering Medical Center that is trusted worldwide in the field of patient care, scientific cancer research and this comes in line in achieving the vision of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos (may his soul rest in peace) — that there is a greater way to treat patients with cancer. This makes SQCCCRC stands out from the other Centers and healthcare facilities in the Sultanate of Oman.
Ms. Intisar continued, to some the word ‘integrated’ is unclear. At SQCCCRC the word “integrated” reflects the way health care is provided to our patients. We continue to deliver patient care, research, and teaching, and learning through six multidisciplinary integrated clinical programs: Breast, Gastrointestinal, Urogenital, Women’s Health, Thorax and Head and Neck, Rare Types of Cancer. The six multidisciplinary treatment programs is staffed with highly qualified and dedicated medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgical oncologists, and supporting services staff to be able to deliver its integrated functions. Through these six multidisciplinary integrated clinical programs our patients makes their visits and/or consultations faster, prompt, achieving early awareness, progress and treatment of their disease. Such approach of the Center is first in the Sultanate of Oman. The principle that guide the SQCCCRC practice are patient-centered. To provide compassionate, individualized care for our patients close to our patients’ home.
Not just for patients!
Dr. Amal Al-Fahdi, Director of the Department of Psychological and Rehabilitation Care, said: “One of the things that seems unclear to patients and society is that the Center does not only provide its services to the patient, but is unique in providing services to the patient’s family as well, as the cancer patient suffers from many challenges that are often shared by the family and determine its fate, for example, the Center provides psychological and social care service to the patients’ family, as specialists allocate treatment sessions that help the family adapt to the disease and pave the way for proper dealing with the patient, as well as Social workers work to help the patient and their family and find solutions and alternatives that help them continue treatment.”
“There is a genetic counseling service provided by the Center to help foresee the likelihood of another family member getting sick, ways to reduce the likelihood based on scientific evidence, as well as other services. In addition, the Center provides its services to researchers in the field of cancer by completing scientific research and providing the opportunity for those interested and students to participate in research, in addition to receiving students of medicine, nursing and related disciplines to have the opportunity to train in the field of cancer care and cancer research, in order to achieve the Center’s vision of working to qualify Omani cadres in the field of cancer care, awareness, and innovation in treatment methods!”
Various programs in Psychological and Rehabilitation Care –
“The Department of Psychological and Rehabilitation Care is a new addition in the field of cancer care, it often faces inquiries, and among the service features of the department that we want to clarify are the psychosocial examination clinic in which the patient’s condition and his family are evaluated, and the smoking cessation clinic for cancer patients, which are among 27 other outpatient clinics in the Center, including the dental clinic, for example.”
“We should also draw attention to the many initiatives undertaken by the department’s social workers to help patients in addition to their work, such as: the “Tohaj” program for beauty care, especially for patients undergoing chemotherapy, the “Sakan” program for patients from remote areas who face challenges in housing near the Center, the “Nuqul” program for patients who find it difficult to provide transportation to and from the center, the “Make a Wish” program for the patient during his stay at the Center to motivate him, and other initiatives aimed at achieving well-being. Life, not just quality of life.”
As explained by the Head of the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation – Dr. Sulaiman Al-Alawi:
“Physiotherapy services play a pivotal role in restoring cancer patients their normal mobility after surgeries, and we also provide service to intensive care patients by training the patient on breathing exercises, expelling phlegm from the lungs, and movement to and from the bed. He is also present in the rehabilitation of neurological patients using motor orthodontics and pain control.”
“There is cognitive therapy that improves memory, attention, concentration, cognition, direction, planning, control, etc., recreational activity therapy that helps patients rest, create memories and find purpose in life, in addition to helping the patient improve social skills, daily activities, sleep management and fatigue.”
Dr. Al-Alawi adds: “We do not forget the language and speech therapy services, which include swallowing treatment as a result of the difficulties caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer patients, voice therapy for those who suffer from voice problems after thyroidectomy, and the role of speech and language therapist in treating patients with brain and tongue cancer to improve speech and communication or find alternative means to help them overcome speech difficulty.”
Not to diagnose cancer!
“Patients often think that the Center is interested in diagnosing cancer, but in reality the Center begins its journey with patients after the diagnosis stage that takes place outside the Center, meaning that the Center receives diagnosed or suspected cases through referrals. As for how to receive referrals, this is done through the “Patient Referral Portal” on the official website of the cccrc.gov.om Center, where the doctor who diagnosed the infection enters the patient’s data in the portal and his medical documents according to the appropriate treatment program for him (among the six treatment programs), and then the Center’s doctors review the request and start dealing with it, and the period for setting an appointment for the patient does not usually exceed seven days, as the Center is keen to provide its service at the soonest possible time, taking into account the privacy of the disease.
It is a high qualification for health and administrative cadres!
Al-Saadi continued: “Obtaining international accreditation from the Joint Commission International for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (JCI) was a global recognition of the level of health and administrative staff in the Center! Therefore, we always assure our cancer patients the quality of care provided to them is focus on wellness and care, and always seek to solve all obstacles they face, and keen to receive their opinions as well as visitors and/or family members about the Center’s services through the “patient satisfaction” questionnaire that is sent to them through text messages.
He adds: “Cancer is a special case in society due to the difficult and complex nature of this disease and the cell transformations that are sometimes fierce, and the Center was built to integrate patient care with research and teaching and learning under one roof. SQCCCRC is dedicated to serve adult cancer patients through a multidisciplinary approach and will continue to strengthen patient safety and quality efforts and will signify commitment to continuously improve patient advocacy.
We recommend our patients, and their family members refer to the Center’s publications through the cccrc.gov.om website to learn about their rights and duties, the course of their treatment journey, available services and other important details that will help achieve treatment outcomes.”
