Emir holds talks with Turkish PM
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday held a telephone conversation with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. They reviewed bilateral relations and regional developments, particularly the situation in the Gaza Strip.
Steps taken to ensure ‘effective’
healthcare system in Qatar
QNA/New York
Qatar has taken steps to ensure a safe and effective healthcare system through strategies, programmes and awareness campaigns to prevent and control non-communicable diseases.
Addressing a high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases here, Qatar’s Acting Charge d’Affaires at Qatar’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations Youssuf Sultan Laram said the attention paid by the State to the health sector was embodied through the excellence of health services, their comprehensiveness, diversity of their specialisations, their advanced equipment and the presence of the finest local and global expertise.
He noted that the budget for the fiscal year 2013-2014 included an increase of 13% to achieve better levels of health services. Health also is one of the key aspects in terms of human development pillar, as progress in healthcare is an integral part of the achievement of Qatar National Vision 2030, Laram said.
He added that the system of social health insurance in Qatar provides a mandatory health insurance coverage through a network of healthcare providers from both the public and private sectors and represents an important pillar in the achievement of the national strategy for health and the accomplishment of Qatar National Vision 2030.
He explained that the National Health Strategy 2011- 2016 is primarily aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyles and promoting the public health and healthcare delivery based on the achievement of the quality of the community as a basis for a successful and integrated healthcare system, in addition to delivering the highest possible level of healthcare and by providing preventive and curative services .
Significant drop in vegetable prices seen at central market
The prices of vegetables and fruits at the Central Market have dropped significantly over the past few days as the rush for purchases eased, local Arabic daily Arrayah reported.
A tour of the market revealed that customers were happy with the rates at which vegetables and fruits were being sold except for squash, the price of which was high due to limited supply, the report states.
On monitoring the situation, the daily found that the prices of most fruits and vegetables (per box) had decreased by QR5-8 as compared to the rates prevalent a day before the start of Ramadan, according to the report.
A citizen said many agricultural products were available at low rates but the prices could go up if the demand increased. He added that the limited number of customers could be attributed to Ramadan, when people go for prayers or gather in the majlis, the report adds.
Another citizen said the prices of vegetables and fruits were low due to the limited number of customers, who are forced to go to air-conditioned malls due to the extreme heat.
‘Quarter of a million expats’ expected this year
A quarter of a million expatriates are expected to come to Qatar this year, local Arabic daily Arrayah has reported, quoting HE the Minister of Development Planning and Statistics Dr Saleh Mohamed Salem al-Nabit. Al-Nabit was speaking at a ministerial meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council on Qatar’s national plan for human resource development and population. The minister noted that Qatar’s population increased from 1.4mn in 2008 to 2.1mn in 2013. Also, the number of expatriates who arrived in the country in 2012 and 2013 was more than 200,000, he added. Further, he said the country has witnessed rapid population growth and demographic changes, which are supported by several programmes in different fields of development, especially construction and infrastructure.
Safari group launches new promotion
Safari group yesterday announced the launch of a new promotion that offers customers a chance to win 5 Mercedes Benz GLK 250 Four Wheel Drive from today until November 2, 2014.
During this promotion, which is available at all Safari outlets, customers who purchase goods worth QR50 and above will be eligible to get a raffle coupon to participate in the mega draw and win 5 Mercedes Benz GLK 250 Four Wheel Drive vehicles.
Besides the new one, there is an ongoing Clickon promotion which enables customers to participate in a lucky draw and win one Toyota Prado SUV and the chance to win many more exciting prizes.
