The Minister of Public Health H E Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, today met with two patients who have recently recovered from COVID-19. During the meetings, which took place at Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Ambulatory Care Center, the patients shared their experiences of having COVID-19 and undergoing treatment at HMC.
The Minister met with Faisal Al Athba, a 40-year-old Qatari national, to discuss his recent experience of having COVID-19 and to hear firsthand from him about his treatment journey. Al Athba explained that he has fully recovered from the virus and was one of the first patients to donate blood plasma at the new clinic at the Communicable Disease Center.
Al-Athba was full of appreciation for the care he received while admitted to the CDC and for the new donation service which enables plasma to be collected from the recovered patients and then transfused into a COVID-19 patient who is receiving treatment. The donated blood contains antibodies built up in the recovered patient’s plasma that can help patients undergoing treatment to improve their resistance and recovery from the virus.
Dr Al Kuwari also met with Juan Micau, a 39-year-old bank worker from the Philippines. During their discussions Micau explained to the Minister that he believes he may have contracted COVID-19 while on vacation in the Philippines at the beginning of March.
After arriving back in Qatar on March 11, Micau began to experience symptoms including a sore throat and cough. Following instruction from his employer, Micau visited Al Khor Hospital for a COVID-19 test. On receiving his positive test result he was admitted to Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital for treatment and monitoring. Micau stayed in the hospital for two weeks and was discharged after making a full recovery on March 29.
Al-Athba and Micau are two of 406 people to have recovered from COVID-19 in Qatar, a number which continues to increase every day.