HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari yesterday said Qatar’s response to Covid-19 helped curb the pandemic in the country.
Speaking at the opening session of the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) 2020, the minister said a key factor in Qatar’s success is its system of universal health coverage, pointing out that all costs of treatment were covered by the government, irrespective of nationality or social conditions, and that all patients received the same high standard of care.
At the conference held under the theme of ‘One World Our Health’, HE Dr al-Kuwari said: “Every death is a tragedy, but we are thankful that our cases, in global terms, remain low. This stands as testimony to the talent and commitment of our doctors and nurses and the entire healthcare workforce. This is also testament of our healthcare system.”
She added that low mortality in Qatar is attributable to a variety of factors, including the young average age of the population, but particularly to the high quality of medical care, provided equally to everyone. “Throughout, we strived to keep our healthcare workforce safe and protected and our hospital acquired infections as close to zero as possible.”
Highlighting the support Qatar has extended to other countries in the battle against Covid-19, Dr al-Kuwari said: “We know we will win this battle only if everyone wins it. In solidarity, Qatar has so far helped more than 70 countries and international organisations with equipment and resources.”
The minister also noted that Covid-19 has not been beaten yet. “Our strategy remains one of vigilance and focused action tempered by a controlled return to normality, while keeping our people safe. We await, with the rest of the world, the development of a safe, effective vaccine. In the meantime, we must rely on the public health measures with which we are all familiar and the dedication and professionalism of the global health workforce to keep us safe,” she said.

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