Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) managing director Dr Mariam Abdulmalik has said Qatar National Day will remain an unforgettable day as it is an occasion "where we derive all the meanings of belonging to our homeland and loyalty to our wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and his esteemed government."
Qatar’s celebrations this year come under the slogan ‘Our Unity the Source of Our Strength’, a slogan that carries deep national connotations reflecting the spirit of belonging to the homeland and consolidating the values of loyalty, solidarity and national unity. This year coincides with Qatar's hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as the first Arab country to host the World Cup, to become a major event "allowing us to introduce the world to our civilisation, our values, the authenticity of our history, our culture, our customs, our traditions, our morals and our Islamic identity that we are proud of."
Dr Abdulmalik noted that PHCC has improved its services provided through its health centres and launched new health centres to meet as many community health needs as possible and enhance the capacity and efficiency of the workforce. This is done through additional investment and staff development and training, making primary healthcare the first and continuous point in Qatar’s health system. “On Qatar National Day, December 18, we pledge our leadership and our loyal people that PHCC will continue to do its utmost and harness all its potentials and energies to push the national strategy forward towards achieving the ambitious goals set for it,” added Dr Abdulmalik.
That is based on its vision of providing comprehensive and integrated person-centred primary healthcare, working in partnership with individuals, families and communities to enhance the health and well-being of all, raising Qatar’s status among its counterparts developed countries, and formulating a pioneering future for our country in the field of health. Dr Samya al-Abdulla, executive director of Operations at PHCC, said the National Day has many values and principles that the Qatari citizen cherishes, and connotations that clearly contribute to the consolidation of the values of loyalty, solidarity and unity among all people of Qatar.
She added that “this year’s slogan, ‘Our Unity the Source of Our Strength’, clearly expresses the source of the strength of the Qatari people and their unity, not only at present, but this solidarity is also the source of the strength of the Qatari people at all times”. Qatar National Day is an opportunity to emphasise that PHCC and the health sector in general are working under the guidance of His Highness the Amir, as well as the guidance of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, to improve the health of the Qatari community in line with its health strategies aimed at achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.
This year’s celebrations are distinct and exceptional as they coincide with Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, to be held for the first time in an Arab country and in the Middle East. It was, therefore, a challenge to highlight Qatar’s ability to present a unique version of the World Cup. In turn, Musallam al-Nabit, assistant managing director of Administrative Affairs and Corporate Services at PHCC, said: “The National Day this year is different, as it coincides with Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, making each one of us an ambassador of this country, old and young, citizens and residents, ambassadors of our morals, values, culture, authenticity, customs and heritage over the years, especially that the world has come to Qatar on this occasion with its various cultures.”
He added that this is an "annual occasion that the people of Qatar wait for to celebrate the exceptional historical and civilisational achievements of our country in the fields of excellence, leadership and future foresight. This comes as part of Qatar’s relentless pursuit to be one of the best countries in the world, for the well-being of its citizens and the good of humanity at large, under the guidance of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, may Allah protect him."
Huda al-Wahedi, executive director of PHCC’s Corporate Communications, said the Qatar National Day is an opportunity to promote the values of loyalty and belonging to the homeland and to evoke the values, meanings and principles on which the State was founded. This is in addition to the achievements Qatar has made under the wise leadership and their wise vision on which Qatar National Vision 2030 was based.
The leadership’s vision helped strengthen social, economic and political stability, making Qatar top many international indicators. It is also an annual event that calls on everyone, citizens and residents, to work hard and sincerely for the advancement of Qatar, and for everyone to perform their duties in their position with honesty and responsibility, putting the interest of the country at the top of priorities, so that the celebration is a motivation to make greater efforts. Al-Wahedi lauded this year’s slogan, ‘Our Unity the Source of Our Strength’, noting that it highlights the extent of harmony between the ancient past and the bright present.
As for the health sector, she emphasised that it enjoys full support and attention from the wise leadership, making Qatar one of the best countries in the world that provides services to the public according to international standards and with accreditations from the top institutions in assessing the quality of services provided.