* Addition of Al Wakra Hospital to Covid-19 network makes extra 400 hospital beds and 150 intensive care beds available for coronavirus patients, should demand require them
HE the Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari visited Al Wakra Hospital Tuesday to meet senior members of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)'s Tactical Command Group and Al Wakra Hospital's leadership team following the designation of the hospital as a Covid-19 medical facility.
The majority of services at Al Wakra Hospital were transferred to other hospitals in the public healthcare sector to enable Al Wakra to be utilised as a dedicated Covid-19 facility.
The Covid-19 respiratory disease is caused by the coronavirus.
"In recent weeks, we have seen a significant increase in the number of people requiring admission to hospital due to moderate and severe Covid-19 symptoms,” said HE Dr al-Kuwari. “The designation of Al Wakra Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in HMC's network, means we now have seven facilities solely dedicated to providing medical care and support for Covid-19 patients."
"We have taken a proactive approach to our capacity expansion strategy throughout the pandemic, ensuring that we always have sufficient bed capacity to meet any future increases in demand for hospital admission,” she explained. “There are now more than 2,100 Covid-19 patients being cared for in HMC hospitals, including more than 400 admitted to intensive care.”
“By adding Al Wakra Hospital to our Covid-19 hospital network, we now have an extra 400 hospital beds and 150 intensive care beds available for Covid-19 patients, should the demand require them," HE the Minister added.
During the visit to Al Wakra Hospital, HE Dr al-Kuwari discussed with HMC senior leaders how the hospital will play an important role in the strategy to ensure that the healthcare system is able to manage any future increase in the number of Covid-19 patients needing medical treatment.
She also inspected the inpatient units and intensive care units as they prepare to admit Covid-19 patients.
"Al Wakra Hospital becomes the seventh HMC facility dedicated to providing care for patients with Covid-19,” said HMC chief medical officer Dr Abdulla al-Ansari. “By creating a clear divide between our Covid-19 facilities and non-Covid-19 facilities, we can ensure our Covid-19 resources are best utilised to deliver high-quality care to Covid-19-positive patients.
“Additionally, patients attending non-Covid-19 facilities for regular medical services can do so safely, without the risk of infection.”
"Due to the designation of Al Wakra Hospital as a Covid-19 facility, we have transferred the majority of routine services to other hospitals, meaning patients will continue being able to access excellent care during this time,” he added. “I would like to thank the public for their support and understanding during this second wave of Covid-19."