The four health centres designated for Covid-19 testing, checkups and other related services have highly qualified and trained staff, as well as the necessary facilities, to handle cases.
This was stressed by Dr Mohamed al-Otaibi, senior consultant of family medicine at the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC)’s Leabaib Health Centre, while speaking to Qatar TV on Saturday.
The four health centres are Umm Salal, Rawdat Al Khail, Muaither and Al Gharrafa.
Patients seeking health services other than Covid-19 and related complications, or complaints pertaining to the respiratory system, have the option of going to other health centres of PHCC that are near their residence. 
The staff at the four designated centres have the necessary protective equipment and know how to properly use them, and constant training is imparted in line with the latest updates and data received from the concerned entities with Covid-19, as new information on different aspects of the novel coronavirus keeps coming in.
Regarding the protocols for identifying and dealing with suspected Covid-19 cases at the designated health centres, he said these are constantly updated in accordance with the latest developments and instructions. When a case is received, preliminary tests are conducted and the person is asked to be self-quarantined at home. In case they do not have a suitable place for this, the health centres have rooms that are duly prepared for such purposes. 
When confirmed, more tests are done and the necessary treatment is given until the patient is referred to the designated Hamad Medical Corporation hospital. 
Dr al-Otaibi stressed that people should call 16000 for any related issues and get the due assistance instantly. Besides, he urged people to stay safe at home and abide by all the preventive and precautionary measures inside the house and also while stepping out for some necessary work.
He also informed that essential services that cannot be halted or delayed continue to be offered to the public at health centres. These include children’s vaccination, healthy child clinic, follow-ups for pregnant women, emergency and urgent cases such as severe pain and follow-up for patients with chronic diseases.
Many of such patients already received calls to check whether they need any medications or other health services, which would be delivered to their homes where possible.