HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari has stressed that the opening of Ras Laffan Hospital yesterday represents an important addition to the health system in Qatar by providing additional clinical capacity dedicated to acute cases of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) with the possibility of further expansion if necessary.
Besides Ras Laffan Hospital, Mesaieed Hospital was also opened yesterday and dedicated to treating Covid-19 patients in addition to Hamad Hospital Corp (HMC) hospitals. This comes as part of the continuous efforts made by Qatar to ensure that all the necessary capabilities to provide care for infected patients are available.
The new hospitals join HMC’s Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, The Cuban Hospital and the Communicable Disease Center as dedicated Covid-19 treatment facilities.
“The opening of these new hospitals increases the health system’s capacity by over 400 acute care beds for the sickest patients in our dedicated Covid-19 hospitals, and we will be able to expand this even further if the need arises,” HE the Minister said.
“This is central to our strategy of ensuring that the right care is available at the right time and place for all Covid-19 patients who need it, while keeping our other facilities — Hamad General Hospital and the other community and specialty hospitals — protected to continue to provide care for our general public.”
Dr al-Kuwari said the opening of the new hospitals is part of the government’s response to curbing the spread of Covid-19, which also focuses on creating awareness among the community, conducting screenings and tracing the sources of infection.
She added that Qatar has sufficient healthcare facilities and staff to cope with the current number of Covid-19 patients who require intensive treatment and advanced respiratory support, noting that the country is prepared, should the number rise.
“Covid-19 patients in Qatar receive world-class care from experienced, highly qualified medical, nursing and allied healthcare professionals. The Ras Laffan and Mesaieed hospitals will significantly enhance our capacity to care for Covid-19 patients who need acute and critical care,” Dr al-Kuwari said.
She said while Qatar has sufficient staff and facilities to care for Covid-19 patients, the country must continue working together to stop the spread of the virus to ensure that “our most vulnerable members of society are safe and protected”, adding that it is essential that the public continues to adhere to infection prevention measures, which include social distancing.