Doha: Minister of Public Health H E Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari said that the official opening of Ras Laffan and Mesaieed Hospitals increases the health system’s capacity to care for the sickest COVID-19 patients in Qatar, adding that the country is able to expand its health system’s capacity even further if the need arises.
The official opening of the two new COVID-19 treatment facilities, located in Ras Laffan and Mesaieed, comes as part of efforts to ensure sufficient capacity to care for patients with COVID-19. The new hospitals join Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, The Cuban Hospital, and the Communicable Disease Centre as dedicated COVID-19 treatment facilities.
The minister explained that the opening of these new hospitals increases the health system’s capacity by over 400 acute beds for COVID-19 patients and that the country is able to expand that even further if the need arises.
“This is central to our strategy of ensuring the right care is available at the right time and place for all COVID-19 patients who need it, keeping our other facilities - Hamad General Hospital and the other community and specialist hospitals - protected to continue to provide care for our general public,” added Her Excellency Dr. Al Kuwari.
Her Excellency Dr. Al Kuwari said the opening of the new hospitals is part of the government’s response to curbing the spread of COVID-19, which has also included a focus on creating awareness among the community, conducting screenings, and tracing the sources of infection. She added that Qatar has sufficient healthcare facilities and staff to cope with the current number of COVID-19 patients who require intensive treatment and advanced respiratory support, and said the country is prepared, should the number rise.
“COVID-19 patients in Qatar receive world-class care from experienced, highly qualified medical, nursing, and allied healthcare professionals. The Ras Laffan and Mesaieed Hospitals will significantly enhance our capacity to care for COVID-19 patients who need acute and critical care,” said Her Excellency Dr. Al Kuwari.
Her Excellency Dr. Al Kuwari said that while Qatar has sufficient staff and facilities to care for COVID-19 patients, the country must continue working together to stop the spread of the virus to ensure that our most vulnerable members of society are safe and protected. She said it is essential that the public continues to adhere to infection prevention measures, which include social distancing.