* Death rate among Covid-19 patients at ICUs in Qatar is about 9% compared to 35% in most developed countries
* More than 1,370 patients with Covid-19 have been cared for by ICUs located across HMC since March
* HMGH has to date treated more than 1,180 patients in ICU
HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari Tuesday affirmed that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attached great importance to the healthcare sector, adding that the wonderful results achieved in this sector is a direct result of the Amir's wise vision of investing in healthcare.
* More than 1,370 patients with Covid-19 have been cared for by ICUs located across HMC since March
* HMGH has to date treated more than 1,180 patients in ICU
HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari Tuesday affirmed that His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani attached great importance to the healthcare sector, adding that the wonderful results achieved in this sector is a direct result of the Amir's wise vision of investing in healthcare.
HE the Minister of Public Health made the statements during her meeting with a group of cadres of intensive care units affiliated with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
The Minister explained that the provision of sufficient clinical capacity at intensive care units and high-quality treatment services, that are provided to patients, are the essential elements of the ability of Qatar to manage the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
She added that Qatar has achieved the second lowest death rate for the Covid-19 pandemic in the world, despite the high infection rate.
HE Dr al -Kuwari said that all components of the health care system in Qatar have worked since the beginning of the pandemic to ensure the best services, adding that work has been done to facilitate access to healthcare services and expand the capacity of intensive care units to provide the necessary treatment for every patient who needed it,without delay.
She added that the world-class healthcare system in Qatar enabled the expansion and use of existing resources and facilities quickly, so that 3,500 hospital beds and 700 beds in intensive care units were provided for Covid-19 patients.
HE the Minister of Public Health praised all the intensive care unit teams at HMC hospitals, especially in Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, for their professionalism, quality, and caring healthcare services for Covid-19 patients.
She pointed out that the death rate among Covid-19 patients at intensive care units in Qatar was about 9%, while the death rate at intensive care units in most developed countries was about 35%.
HE the Minister appreciated the intensive care unit teams' work to ensure the availability of the latest and best medical treatments and protocols for patients. She stressed that Qatar has dealt with this pandemic decisively and effectively through the implementation of strict measures that helped contain the spread of the virus.
The Minister explained that the provision of sufficient clinical capacity at intensive care units and high-quality treatment services, that are provided to patients, are the essential elements of the ability of Qatar to manage the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
She added that Qatar has achieved the second lowest death rate for the Covid-19 pandemic in the world, despite the high infection rate.
HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari during a meeting
HE Dr al -Kuwari said that all components of the health care system in Qatar have worked since the beginning of the pandemic to ensure the best services, adding that work has been done to facilitate access to healthcare services and expand the capacity of intensive care units to provide the necessary treatment for every patient who needed it,without delay.
She added that the world-class healthcare system in Qatar enabled the expansion and use of existing resources and facilities quickly, so that 3,500 hospital beds and 700 beds in intensive care units were provided for Covid-19 patients.
HE the Minister of Public Health praised all the intensive care unit teams at HMC hospitals, especially in Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, for their professionalism, quality, and caring healthcare services for Covid-19 patients.
She pointed out that the death rate among Covid-19 patients at intensive care units in Qatar was about 9%, while the death rate at intensive care units in most developed countries was about 35%.
HE the Minister appreciated the intensive care unit teams' work to ensure the availability of the latest and best medical treatments and protocols for patients. She stressed that Qatar has dealt with this pandemic decisively and effectively through the implementation of strict measures that helped contain the spread of the virus.
"We have all made great sacrifices, but it is important that we continue to adhere to infection control measures while taking precautions to protect the health of the most vulnerable individuals from the complications of this virus in our society," HE the Minister said.
She urged the public to maintain social distance, wear masks, wash hands and call 16000 or visit one of the healthcare facilities designated for Covid-19 tests in case of having any symptoms of the disease.
Dr. Saad Al Kaabi, chairman of the System Wide Incident Command Committee (SWICC) at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), said many staff members have worked behind the scenes for months to deliver on a plan that would ensure the right care was available at the right time and place, and that there was no shortage of beds for Covid-19 as well as non-Covid-19 patients.
"Seven facilities were designated to care for Covid-19 patients and, through the hard work of many individuals, we were able to significantly expand acute and critical care capacity. By assigning hospitals as dedicated Covid-19 treatment facilities, we have been able to keep the majority of Covid-19 patients in a small number of locations. This has not only ensured there was dedicated, specially trained staff and the necessary equipment available to these patients, but also that patients who required non-Covid-19 care could access treatment more safely," added Dr al-Kaabi.
For his part, the chairman of HMC's Department of Internal Medicine and acting chairman of ICUs, Dr Ahmed al-Mohamed, said more than 1,370 patients with Covid-19 have been cared for by ICUs located across HMC since March. He said Qatar's ability to effectively treat patients with the most severe symptoms in highly-advanced Intensive Care Units is a key factor why Qatar's Covid-19 mortality rate is one of the lowest in the world.
"Due to Qatar's investment in critical care and ICU facilities, we have been able to ensure patients at risk for severe Covid-19 illness received more sophisticated care. From establishing new ICU beds at Ras Laffan Hospital to re-purposing beds to expand capacity at facilities like Hazm Mebaireek General and The Cuban hospitals, we have been able to ensure that patients who require intensive treatment and advanced respiratory support have access to the care they need. Working together as a health system, we implemented a strategy that has allowed us to help prevent the high death rates seen in many countries," added Dr al-Mohamed.
"Our comprehensive plan to expand hospital capacity to meet the increased demand from Covid-19 delivered significant expansion of intensive care services, more than tripling ICU capacity to over 700 beds across our hospital system. Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital (HMGH), the main Covid-19 hospital, increased its ICU capacity from just eight beds to 226 beds, and has to date treated more than 1,180 patients in ICU. More than 680 of these patients have been intubated and received mechanical ventilation, while our team has performed a range of procedures, including bronchoscopies, advanced hemodynamic monitoring, continuous veno-venous hemofiltration as renal replacement therapy, central line placement and tracheostomies," said the head of Critical Care and Pulmonary Medicine at HMGH, Dr Mohamad Khatib.
"Being able to provide patients with these advanced treatments without delay has, for many patients, been the difference between life and death. This is evidenced in the mortality rate for Covid-19 patients admitted to ICU in Qatar, which is around 9%, one of the lowest in the world," added Dr Khatib.
Dr. Saad Al Kaabi, chairman of the System Wide Incident Command Committee (SWICC) at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), said many staff members have worked behind the scenes for months to deliver on a plan that would ensure the right care was available at the right time and place, and that there was no shortage of beds for Covid-19 as well as non-Covid-19 patients.
"Seven facilities were designated to care for Covid-19 patients and, through the hard work of many individuals, we were able to significantly expand acute and critical care capacity. By assigning hospitals as dedicated Covid-19 treatment facilities, we have been able to keep the majority of Covid-19 patients in a small number of locations. This has not only ensured there was dedicated, specially trained staff and the necessary equipment available to these patients, but also that patients who required non-Covid-19 care could access treatment more safely," added Dr al-Kaabi.
For his part, the chairman of HMC's Department of Internal Medicine and acting chairman of ICUs, Dr Ahmed al-Mohamed, said more than 1,370 patients with Covid-19 have been cared for by ICUs located across HMC since March. He said Qatar's ability to effectively treat patients with the most severe symptoms in highly-advanced Intensive Care Units is a key factor why Qatar's Covid-19 mortality rate is one of the lowest in the world.
"Due to Qatar's investment in critical care and ICU facilities, we have been able to ensure patients at risk for severe Covid-19 illness received more sophisticated care. From establishing new ICU beds at Ras Laffan Hospital to re-purposing beds to expand capacity at facilities like Hazm Mebaireek General and The Cuban hospitals, we have been able to ensure that patients who require intensive treatment and advanced respiratory support have access to the care they need. Working together as a health system, we implemented a strategy that has allowed us to help prevent the high death rates seen in many countries," added Dr al-Mohamed.
"Our comprehensive plan to expand hospital capacity to meet the increased demand from Covid-19 delivered significant expansion of intensive care services, more than tripling ICU capacity to over 700 beds across our hospital system. Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital (HMGH), the main Covid-19 hospital, increased its ICU capacity from just eight beds to 226 beds, and has to date treated more than 1,180 patients in ICU. More than 680 of these patients have been intubated and received mechanical ventilation, while our team has performed a range of procedures, including bronchoscopies, advanced hemodynamic monitoring, continuous veno-venous hemofiltration as renal replacement therapy, central line placement and tracheostomies," said the head of Critical Care and Pulmonary Medicine at HMGH, Dr Mohamad Khatib.
"Being able to provide patients with these advanced treatments without delay has, for many patients, been the difference between life and death. This is evidenced in the mortality rate for Covid-19 patients admitted to ICU in Qatar, which is around 9%, one of the lowest in the world," added Dr Khatib.
