Parents’ reluctance a major reason for Qatari students not taking up nursing

Published: 25 November 2024

NT Bureau
Doha

The main reason for the reluctance of Qatari students to pursue the nursing profession is due to parents’ misunder-standing of the role assigned to those who practice this profession, which prompts parents not to encourage their sons and daughters to enter this profession despite its importance, Dr. Mariam Abdul Malik, Director General of the Primary Health Care Corporation.

In an interview with Al Sharq, Dr. Mariam Abdul Malik said there is a scarcity of nursing graduates, especially after the closure of the Nursing Institute. “Therefore, we have been optimistic since the opening of the College of Nursing at Qatar University, and we will attract the first nursing batch to encourage and support them,” she said.

Dr. Maryam Abdul Malik explained that one of the challenges facing the primary healthcare centres is the failure of patients to adhere to their appointments or “no-shows”, as the rate of no-shows reached 38%, and the rate reached 40% in a number of specialized clinics and departments, which is a waste of the doctors’ precious time and denies the opportunity for another patient who was entitled to an appointment.

“Therefore, we expect patients to adhere to their appointments or cancel by phone or reschedule them so that they can be given to others,” Dr Maryam said.

Dr. Maryam noted that one of the challenges is verbal and physical violence that administrative, medical and nursing staff are exposed to in health centers, even if they are occasional cases, they are rejected, unjustified, and punishable by law.

“I think the reason is that every patient does not want to wait and wants to be served before other patients, and this is impossible. Some people need more awareness that will enable them to respect the person who provides them with the service, and to respect their role and the role of others who have served before them. However, these ab-normal actions do not negate the fact that there is a large percentage of patients who appreciate the work of their colleagues, doctors and employees.”

When asked whether working hours and different shifts contribute to the reluctance of Qatari men and women to work as doctors or nurses, she said: “Yes, even our doctors are upset about the evening and night shifts, but every job has its own nature, and this is the nature of our work, and this is one of the challenges, really, not only for the doctors and nurses, but also for the administrators, especially the receptionists.”

The number of visits by Qataris to health centers constitutes 16% of the total number of visits. During the past year, health centers received 4.5 million visits from citizens and non-citizens.
“My message is directed to the community, which must appreciate the high-level services provided by the state. What is provided in our health sector is not provided in any other health sector, even if compared to global health systems,” Dr Mariam said.