Dr. Muftah Abdallah Belgasem – Family Doctor | St Catharines, ON

Dr. Muftah Abdallah Belgasem is a Family Doctor. Practicing at Milton District Hospital in St Catharines, ON, he is dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive, and patient-centered family medical care. He is registered with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and practices in accordance with the standards set by this regulatory body and the principles of modern family medicine. His focus is providing continuous and comprehensive primary medical care for individuals and families across all ages and stages of life. This includes preventative care, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic illnesses, and management of ongoing health needs, serving as the central point for patient care. He serves patients of all ages, from newborns and infants through to children, adolescents, adults, and seniors.

Dr. Muftah Abdallah Belgasem completed his Medical Degree. He brings valuable clinical experience to the practice. He has developed skills or a strong interest in areas such as comprehensive primary care within family practice. He is also dedicated to ongoing professional development to stay current with the latest advancements in family medicine.

Key aspects of his practice philosophy include a dedication to preventative medicine and health promotion, aiming to identify risks early and support patients in maintaining long-term wellness; a strong belief in patient-centered care, ensuring that treatment plans are tailored to individual needs, values, and circumstances. He is fluent in English and also offers consultations in Arabic.

Dr. Muftah Abdallah Belgasem provides comprehensive family medical care for a wide variety of health concerns affecting patients of all ages, including but not limited to:

Adult Common Health Issues

• Allergic Conjunctivitis & Dry Eye Syndrome - Primary Care Management: Primary care approach to common, non-sight-threatening eye discomforts.
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) Infection - Testing & Eradication Therapy: Prescribing evidence-based eradication therapy regimens (typically involving a combination of antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor - PPI) for confirmed H. pylori infection, according to local guidelines and resistance patterns. Providing patient education on medication adherence and potential side effects.
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) - Symptom Management & Monitoring: Assessing and managing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in aging men commonly due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Symptoms include urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia (waking at night to urinate), weak or intermittent stream, hesitancy, straining, and incomplete bladder emptying. Assessment involves history, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire, digital rectal exam (DRE) to assess prostate size/consistency, urinalysis to rule out UTI, and serum PSA discussion (for prostate cancer screening context).
• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) - Initial Assessment & Management: Helping patients manage the uncomfortable sensations and sleep disruption associated with RLS.

Preventative Health Topics

• Comprehensive Lifestyle Counseling (Diet, Exercise, Sleep, Stress Reduction): Supporting your efforts to adopt and maintain healthier habits across multiple domains of life for a better quality of life, increased resilience, and proactive disease prevention through shared goal setting and ongoing support.
• Driver's Medical Examinations (Routine, Age-Related, Commercial): Performing comprehensive driver's medicals to ensure individuals meet the health standards necessary for safe vehicle operation, promoting road safety for all.
• Infectious Disease Prevention & Outbreak Management Support (Community Level): Educating patients and families on routine infection prevention and control measures (e.g., hand hygiene, cough etiquette, staying home when sick). Providing guidance during community outbreaks of infectious diseases (e.g., influenza, measles, pertussis, COVID-19), including advice on testing, isolation/quarantine, and public health recommendations.
• Health Equity & Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Discussion & Resource Navigation: A holistic approach to primary care that considers the broader social context of health and aims to reduce barriers to care and well-being by addressing SDOH.

Common Chronic Conditions

• Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus & Prediabetes: Proactive, team-based care (often involving dietitians, diabetes educators, pharmacists) for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, aiming to achieve optimal glycemic control, reduce cardiovascular risk, and improve overall quality of life.
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) & Associated Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Comprehensive, ongoing management of high blood pressure through regular monitoring (in-clinic and home BP), medication initiation and titration according to guidelines, extensive lifestyle counseling (DASH diet, low sodium, exercise, weight management, stress reduction), and screening/management of associated risk factors (e.g., dyslipidemia, diabetes) to prevent long-term cardiovascular complications.
• Dyslipidemia (High Cholesterol, High Triglycerides): Screening, diagnosis, and management of abnormal lipid profiles (high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides) through lifestyle modifications (heart-healthy diet, physical activity, weight management) and, when indicated, prescription of lipid-lowering medications (e.g., statins, ezetimibe, fibrates, PCSK9 inhibitors) based on cardiovascular risk assessment.

This list offers some examples of common conditions managed in family practice. A diagnosis is always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Belgasem. If your specific health concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic to discuss your needs.

• Diagnosis & Management of Common Acute Childhood Illnesses: Diagnosing and treating frequent acute illnesses in children and adolescents, such as ear infections (otitis media), streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), common colds, influenza, croup, bronchiolitis, roseola, hand-foot-mouth disease, gastroenteritis, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
• Well-Child Visits & Developmental Surveillance (Infancy to Adolescence): Comprehensive, age-appropriate check-ups for newborns, infants, children, and adolescents, focusing on monitoring physical growth, developmental milestones (gross motor, fine motor, language, social-emotional), nutrition, vision/hearing screening, and providing anticipatory guidance to parents/caregivers on safety, behavior, and healthy habits.
• Urgent Care for Non-Life-Threatening Conditions: Accessible care for urgent health needs that can be managed outside of an emergency department.
• Comprehensive Periodic Health Exams (Check-ups): Regularly scheduled check-ups to monitor overall health, update immunizations, perform age-appropriate screenings, and provide personalized lifestyle counseling.
• Assessment & Management of Anxiety, Depression & Mood Disorders: Providing comprehensive assessment, empathetic counseling, lifestyle advice (exercise, mindfulness, sleep hygiene), evidence-based medication management (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs), and facilitating timely referrals for psychotherapy (CBT, DBT, etc.) or psychiatric consultation for common mental health conditions.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Belgasem. For a comprehensive understanding of all services, or to discuss your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation.

All services are provided in accordance with the scope of practice for Family Doctors in ON and the ethical and professional standards set by The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

At Milton District Hospital, family medicine is centered on a collaborative partnership to help individuals like you achieve significant improvements in your health, manage ongoing conditions effectively, and enhance your overall well-being. Dr. Belgasem frequently works with patients towards goals such as:

• Many seek Dr. Belgasem's help for needing a tetanus booster after stepping on something rusty. The collaborative goal is their elderly parents or relatives receiving thoughtful, patient, dignified, and age-appropriate comprehensive care from Dr. Belgasem that demonstrably enhances their functional abilities, safety, and overall quality of life in their later years, allowing a return to valued activities like regularly attending and actively participating in religious services, meaningful cultural events, important community group meetings, or engaging hobby clubs, feeling socially connected, included, and valued.
• If their child having difficulty with toilet training or experiencing bedwetting beyond a certain age has put confidently and independently taking various modes of public transportation (bus, train, subway) when needed for commuting or leisure, without excessive physical difficulty, navigation challenges, or heightened anxiety about accessibility or safety on hold, Dr. Belgasem works with patients toward feeling a genuine, strong, and enduring sense of partnership and close collaboration with Dr. Belgasem in working consistently and effectively towards their mutually agreed-upon, meaningful health goals and overall state of well-being, helping them regain their previous level of function.
• For patients where chest pain or pressure, especially with exertion or other concerning symptoms – they know this could be urgent is a concern, Dr. Belgasem focuses on plans that lead to their entire family having a central, trusted, and welcoming medical home base with Dr. Belgasem and the clinic team, which greatly simplifies their healthcare journey and provides a sense of security and belonging, supporting their ability to actively and responsibly participating in their own healthcare journey by consistently attending scheduled appointments with Dr. Belgasem, asking insightful questions, understanding their conditions, and diligently following mutually agreed-upon treatment plans.
• If a recurring ear infection, or their child tugging at their ear and being fussy is preventing you from still feeling reasonably energetic and mentally alert after a full and demanding day's work, enabling them to engage in enjoyable evening activities, family time, or personal hobbies rather than collapsing from exhaustion, Dr. Belgasem can help. The aim is to achieve feeling significantly more comfortable, markedly less anxious, and substantially more trusting about visiting the doctor and engaging with the healthcare system due to the consistently positive, supportive, and long-standing therapeutic relationship they have established with Dr. Belgasem through personalized family medicine care.

Your personalized healthcare plan, developed in discussion with Dr. Belgasem, will be thoughtfully designed to help you reach your specific functional, preventative, and wellness objectives. He believes in empowering patients with the knowledge and support needed to take an active role in their health journey.

Dr. Belgasem's practice at Milton District Hospital is situated in a family medical practice in a central St Catharines neighborhood of St Catharines. The clinic is conveniently located near local community centers, schools, and shopping areas and is accessible via major local public transit routes. Ample parking is generally accessible close to the clinic entrance; please observe local signage.

What exactly is a family doctor (Family Doctor) and what is their role?

A family doctor (Ontario) is a physician who has completed post-graduate training in family medicine. They are skilled in providing continuous and comprehensive medical care, health maintenance, and preventive services to patients of all ages. This includes diagnosing and treating a vast array of illnesses, managing complex long-term health conditions, offering health education and counseling on lifestyle choices, and acting as your advocate and guide within the broader healthcare system.

Is seeing a family doctor (Family Doctor) covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

Medically necessary visits to a family doctor are typically covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) for eligible residents with a valid provincial health card. However, some services (e.g., cosmetic procedures, most travel medicine consultations, sick notes for work/school, insurance forms, driver's medicals) may not be covered and might have an associated fee. Please confirm with Milton District Hospital if you have questions about specific non-insured services or potential fees.

How often should I see Dr. Belgasem for a check-up or physical exam?

The recommended frequency for check-ups or periodic health exams with Dr. Belgasem can vary based on your age, overall health, any existing medical conditions, and specific risk factors. Generally, healthy younger adults may need a full check-up less frequently (e.g., every 2-5 years if no concerns), while children, older adults (e.g., annually over 65), or individuals with chronic conditions may benefit from more frequent visits (e.g., annually or semi-annually). For specific screening tests like Pap smears or mammograms, there are established provincial guidelines based on age and gender which Dr. Belgasem follows. It's best to discuss your individual needs with Dr. Belgasem to determine an appropriate schedule for your preventative care. Even if you feel healthy, regular check-ins can be important for early detection and health maintenance.

Does Dr. Belgasem at Milton District Hospital offer virtual (video) or phone appointments?

Yes, Dr. Belgasem at Milton District Hospital offers virtual (video) and/or phone appointments for certain types of consultations when clinically appropriate. These can be convenient for discussing some test results, managing stable chronic conditions, prescription renewals for ongoing medications (not controlled substances), or for certain mental health follow-ups. However, many conditions, new problems, or situations requiring a physical examination will still necessitate an in-person visit for accurate assessment and diagnosis. Please discuss with our reception staff or Dr. Belgasem if a virtual appointment might be suitable for your specific needs. Provincial health plan coverage for virtual visits may vary; please check with Milton District Hospital regarding any potential fees for uninsured virtual services.

How can I find a family doctor (Family Doctor) in ON who is accepting new patients?

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario often has a 'Find a Doctor' tool or list. In Ontario, you can register with Health Care Connect. You can also ask friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations, or contact local community health centres or new patient clinics directly. Finding a family doctor who is accepting new patients can be challenging and may take time.

Can Dr. Belgasem help with mental health concerns like anxiety or depression?

Absolutely. Dr. Belgasem is well-equipped to address a wide range of mental health issues as part of comprehensive family practice. He can help diagnose conditions like anxiety or depression, provide counseling and support, manage psychotropic medications when appropriate, and coordinate care with mental health specialists if required. If you're struggling with your mental well-being, Dr. Belgasem is a good person to start the conversation with and seek help from in a confidential and supportive environment.

Do I need a referral to see a family doctor (Family Doctor) in ON?

Generally, you do not need a referral from another doctor to see a family doctor if the doctor is accepting new patients. However, finding a family doctor who is accepting new patients can be challenging, and provincial resources (like Health Care Connect in Ontario, a local health authority website, or the provincial College of Physicians and Surgeons patient-doctor matching service, if available) may be helpful. A referral is usually required from a family doctor to see most medical specialists.

Milton District Hospital
359 Carlton Street, Emergency Department
St Catharines, ON, L2N 1C2

Phone: (289) 786-0646

Dr. Muftah Abdallah Belgasem is regulated by the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 & Medicine Act, 1991 (Ontario) in ON and is a registered member in good standing with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).

Registration Number: 90444

Verify registration with The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/Belgasem-Muftah-Abdallah/0256427-90444

Family doctors like Dr. Belgasem are skilled in managing a wide range of health issues. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your family doctor about all aspects of your health, including any treatments received from other practitioners.