“Across all five of the PECs, we see around 3,000 cases per day with Al Sadd PEC receiving the highest number of patients at around 1,700 cases per day. This is followed by Al Rayyan PEC, which sees up to 750 cases daily. The Old Airport PEC receives around 300 cases each day while the PECs in Al Daayen and Al Shamal receive around 200 patients each day,” said Dr Mohammed al-Amri, senior consultant, paediatric emergency medicine and assistant director of the PECs.
Dr Mohammed al-Amri
Dr al-Amri noted that the increase in the number of children coming to the PECs since the onset of winter also coincides with the start of the new school term.
He added that during times of higher patient volumes, the number of nursing and medical staff is increased. In treating patients, priority is given to critical situations where the child is experiencing dangerous or life-threatening symptoms, such as a cardiac arrest or convulsions.
The PECs are equipped to handle a wide range of conditions – from chronic disease to critical illness; however, patients of children with minor illnesses are asked to seek treatment at their local health centres, with only emergency cases going to the PECs.
Dr al-Amri told that the cooler climate is ‘fertile ground’ for the spread of viruses. “Winter is the perfect season for the spread of viruses such as the flu and common cold, and especially for a virus known as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - a common and very contagious virus that infects the respiratory tract of most children before their second birthday. RSV is characterised by a high temperature, cough, and sore throat. It appears in newborns in the form of bronchitis and can also cause children to feel lethargic,” he explained.
Dr al-Amri warned against excessive use of antibiotics in treating children with a high temperature. “Antibiotics should be given only in cases of bacterial infection or ear infections. Antibiotics are not effective in the treatment of viral infections as they destroy beneficial bacteria in the digestive system. It is also important for parents to know that cough inhibitors are strictly prohibited for newborns and should not be given to children under six years of age as they could affect their nervous system,” he cautioned.
He maintained that teachers and other school staff can play an important role in preventing the spread of illness by being observant and recognising symptoms of illness, such as a high temperature, and then ensure prompt communication with the child’s parents. He also recommends schools promote the importance of good personal hygiene, such as hand washing especially, when a child is sick. He noted that it is better to keep sick children at home for at least two days and prevent them from having contact with other children, especially newborns.
The PEC has a dedicated 24-hour telephone hotline, managed by registered nurses and aims to provide quick and appropriate advice about common paediatric health conditions. The hotline can be reached at 44396011 and 44396066.
“We receive about 200 calls per month on our hotline, most of which are related to medications,” he added.
PECs provide high-quality, safe, and compassionate clinical care.
Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) five Paediatric Emergency Centers (PECs) have reported an increase of patients with cold and flu symptoms in the recent weeks, as temperatures have continued to drop.
