The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has decided to stop extending the temporary licences for health workers from March 1.
The decision, according to a report by local Arabic daily Arrayah, was taken citing the end of the exceptional circumstances that demanded the extension of the temporary licence during the emergency conditions necessitated by Covid-19.
The relevant department at the ministry said, in a circular, that the licensing procedures will be restored and all health practitioners who have temporary licences must complete the requirements for obtaining a permanent licence before the temporary licence expires. The circular also urged practitioners with temporary licences to stop clinical practice in the workplace once the temporary licence expires.
During Covid-19, the MoPH had decided to use the medical and nursing staff available in the country through temporary licences and allowed them to practise in order to address the pandemic. This was decided as dealing with the pandemic required more medical and nursing staff and auxiliary services.
Qatar has been able to successfully address the challenges of the pandemic by following a comprehensive approach based on all government sectors and society as a whole. During Covid-19, Qatar was able to significantly expand the healthcare system, which contributed to doubling the capabilities of the system while investing heavily in the development of a skilled workforce in the health field and in systems related to disaster preparedness.
