Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has held a big celebration to honour physicians and volunteers contributing to the Covid-19 response efforts.
Some 150 participants attended a cycling tour from Katara to Al Duhail SC and back, as part of an initiative giving a "thank you" message for those heroes at the forefront of the response.
Some 150 participants attended a cycling tour from Katara to Al Duhail SC and back, as part of an initiative giving a "thank you" message for those heroes at the forefront of the response.
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An honouring ceremony was held following the tour, which was supported by several sponsors, including Katara-the Cultural Village, Al Duhail SC, the Ministry of Public Health, Qatar Fund for Development, Qatar Cyclists Centre, the General Directorate of Traffic, Baladna, Al Rawda Water Co and Wooden Bakery. The event was attended by Ali bin Hassan al-Hammadi, secretary-general of QRCS; Ibrahim Abdullah al-Malki, CEO of QRCS, representatives of the partners, and over 50 organisers.
In his speech, al-Hammadi said: Notably, the doctors and volunteers engaged in the Covid-19 response showed extraordinary dedication and creativity in doing their job. They even undertook extra tasks to ensure the best outcomes, working as one team and one family. The coronavirus pandemic was an unprecedented global emergency that affected the lives of everyone in all countries, leaving millions dead and livelihoods lost due to strict lockdowns.
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"The biggest challenge was to secure enough numbers of workforce such as physicians, nurses, paramedics and well-trained volunteers to help the government organisations and sectors concerned.
"As an auxiliary to the State of Qatar in social and humanitarian fields, QRCS was automatically converted into one of the public organisations concerned with responding to the pandemic. Under the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, all of QRCS’s resources were put at its direct disposal, including the medical professionals of Workers’ Health Centres and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), as well as the male and female volunteers highly qualified in disaster response."
Al-Malki added, "There is no room to elaborate on the achievements made by our doctors and volunteers throughout the emergency, and their heroic attitude in the hardest times is unforgettable. They faced fear with utmost courage and determination, being always there where needed. They stayed out of home for many months, with the sole mission of serving and protecting the people of Qatar.
Just a few highlights to demonstrate their impressive work: medical services were provided by 641 physicians, first responders, nurses, technicians, health educators and trainers. "The Volunteer for Qatar campaign saw a wide public response, recruiting more than 17,000 young women and men from all walks of life, inspired by a desire to extend help for those who needed care and psychological support.
"To all of them: thank you for your remarkable feats and great sacrifices. May Allah bless you as resources for Qatar and humanitarian action, under QRCS’s mission of 'Saving Lives and Preserving Dignity'."