HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari has affirmed that the celebration of the National Day represents an abiding national occasion for Qatar’s people, as it represents great indications in which we remember our glorious history of establishing our state on solid foundations under the leadership of wise leaders who worked sincerely and with their people in order to build, stabilise and develop their country to be pioneer among nations.
In her statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), she said that Qatar National Day is an opportunity from which we can draw important lessons to preserving our values and principles that we have inherited across generations, which the Qatari citizen is proud of. HE al-Kuwari offered the most sincere congratulations and blessings to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, His Highness the Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Thani and the Qatari people on the occasion of the National Day.
She also stressed that the National Day contributes to the consolidation of the values of loyalty to the country, where the various institutions and authorities in the state and the people of Qatar participate in celebrating this occasion in a national scene embodying the solidarity and cohesion of the people of the country, their love, sincerity and loyalty to the wise leadership and homeland.
She said that one of the important features that contribute greatly to the consolidation of national values and principles is the slogans of the National Day chosen by the organising committee for the National Day celebrations annually, which embody an integral part of our values and principles, therefore, the slogan for this year: “The Path of excellent is difficult” is inspired by the Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani, confirms that excellence needs hard work, knowledge and morals.
HE the minister stated that Qatar celebrates the significant achievements in various fields, according to a clear vision and planning aimed at achieving comprehensive and sustainable development and achieving decent living for the people of Qatar. “Therefore, under our wise leadership, our country was able to enhance its global presence through its firm positions that support rights and serve humanity. Our country has also led great humanitarian initiatives to support people in need, and ensure that appropriate education and diverse human needs are provided,” she added.
She also explained that Qatar’s great national achievements continued despite all challenges and that Qatar was able to overcome the unjust blockade imposed on it, as His Highness the Amir made clear in his speech at the opening of the 48th ordinary session of the Shura Council that “by virtue of God’s support, credit for our success in containing most of its negative impacts is attributable to maintaining our calm and decisive approach in handling this crisis, revealing all its related facts to the whole world, while adhering to the independence of our political decision vis-a-vis attempts to impose tutelage on us, as well as strengthening our bilateral relations with friendly and allied countries.”
She added that therefore, the State of Qatar, thanks to God and to the wisdom of leadership, the loyalty of the people, and our adherence to the truth, does not know the impossible and always remains a civilisational model that inspires the peoples to preserve their capabilities, overcome difficulties and achieve development, stability and prosperity. She talked about the efforts made by the Ministry of Health to develop the health sector in the country, saying that the Ministry of Public Health and its partners in the health sector are working to implement the National Health Strategy 2018-2022, which is one of eight sectoral strategies that were developed within the framework of the National Development Strategy 2018-2022 with the aim of achieving Qatar’s National Vision 2030.
HE the minister added that under the slogan “Our health our future” the focus is on population health and integrated care, through seven priority population groups focusing on the groups most in need of care, such as children, mothers, the elderly and those with special needs, in addition to five priorities at the level of the health system as a whole to ensure access to quality care, where work is being continued to achieve the national goals set by the strategy, and to allow a greater focus on prevention and wellness, and improving access to care and service delivery in a more consistent and integrated manner.
She pointed out that health facilities have witnessed an important expansion, eight new public and specialised hospitals have been opened since 2016, in addition to the opening of the new Emergency and Accident Center at Hamad Medical Corporation last September, which is considered as one of the largest emergency centres in the region, and the opening of 10 primary health care centres, since 2016, 7 centres of which belong to the Primary Health Care in addition to three health centres for single males managed by the Qatari Red Crescent based on an agreement with the Ministry of Public Health during the same period, accompanied by a significant increase in the highly qualified workforce in addition to other important projects that are being implemented in the coming period.
She also noted the Ministry of Public Health’s keenness to adopt the highest international quality standards, which contributed to the excellence of the health system at the global level, and the health care system in the State of Qatar surpasses many international standards in the field of high-quality care, in addition to achieving international accreditations where 13 of Hamad Medical Corporation’s facilities have been accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), while the Primary Health Care Corporation and its centres also received Diamond-level accreditation certificate from Accreditation Canada.
HE the minister stressed the important achievements that had been made, thanks to the great support of the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, in order to improve the health of the Qatari community, as an educated, healthy citizen is the basis, goal and engine of the development.