Qatar's expertise enables rapid, effective response to emergency health situations

Thanks to its successful proactive strategy to address the Covid-19 pandemic, Qatar managed to overcome three waves of the pandemic, through a methodology based on a scientific and co-operative approach among all government agencies, local and international partnerships, and community participation.HE Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari affirmed at the Qatar Health Conference 2022 held in February that the health sector is ready for any circumstances due to its expertise, experience, commitment, and solidarity of the healthcare system in the country to achieve the desired goals.The health system in Qatar works to respond to any pandemic or abnormal health situation in a proactive and preparatory manner and in a scientific approach to any exceptional circumstances through a court system in which all parties in the country participate.This includes the preparations that precede the country's hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, where healthcare workers will have a very important role in the tournament.HE Minister of Public Health confirmed on several occasions that healthcare teams in Qatar have been preparing for the World Cup for many years.They also have great experience in participating in hosting major events and mass gatherings.The healthcare teams have previously participated in many major tournaments and events hosted by Qatar, including the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019, the World Athletics Championships 2019, and the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021, she said. The healthcare teams in Qatar have extensive experience in providing healthcare services during major public events and gatherings in Qatar, and are ready to meet the requirements of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, she added.The ability of Qatar and its health system to respond to any pandemic has been demonstrated by its ability to confront the Covid-19 pandemic and limit the spread of the virus while maintaining the system of providing usual healthcare services to all members of society, continuing to develop the health system, opening new medical facilities and facilities that provide quality care.Thanks to the efforts of the health sector and the co-operation of the State's agencies, Qatar was able to respond to the pandemic and overcome three waves of it.In addition to that, Qatar has one of the lowest death rates from Covid-19 in the world.Qatar's efforts in this regard obtained the 15th place in the German magazine Der Spiegel among countries that dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic in the best way, and it was the only Arab country to be included in it.There is no doubt that the success of Qatar in addressing the Covid-19 pandemic and limiting its spread indicates that the health system in Qatar is able, thanks to its expertise and capabilities, to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies through a response and communication plan and by increasing the absorptive capacity of healthcare facilities.The adoption of a scientific, evidence-based approach by making decisions according to the results of scientific studies and research, has contributed to improving the response of Qatar to the pandemic, with the healthcare system characterised by its strength, flexibility, and ability to adapt to the plans set by the state to respond to a pandemic.Qatar's success in addressing this pandemic was not a coincidence, but rather thanks to scientific research, which was published in the most prestigious scientific journals, and by adopting strict travel policies that take into account the nature of the spread of infection, the health systems' ability to absorb it and its ability to adapt with the plans set by the state to raise the absorptive capacity and redistribute the specialised cadres quickly and effectively, were all factors that helped in the success of confronting the pandemic.The same factors are followed to address any pandemic or other health emergencies.The State's implementation of the largest vaccination campaign in the history of Qatar for citizens and residents for free against the Covid-19 is one of the important factors that greatly contributed to its response to the pandemic.Qatar ranked among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of vaccination coverage against Covid-19 compared to its population.The national programme for vaccination against Covid-19 achieved high coverage rates, as the total number of vaccine doses that have been given to the population of Qatar from the beginning of the vaccination campaign in December 2020 until April 8, was more than 6,670,000 doses.Meanwhile, the total number of booster doses of the vaccine (the third dose) given until April 8, is more than 1,478,000 doses, indicating the proactive approach taken by Qatar in addressing the pandemic.The Ministry of Public Health also recently approved the use of the fourth dose of the Pfizer/Biontech and Moderna vaccine against Covid-19 for individuals at high risk of severe infection.The fourth dose is given to individuals aged 60 years and over and individuals with chronic diseases that increase the risk of severe infection caused by Covid-19 regardless of age.The fourth dose is given to these individuals four months after they receive the booster (or third) dose or become infected with Covid-19.The Ministry of Public Health based these steps to address the pandemic, according to the latest scientific and clinical evidence, which affirms its scientific and proactive approach to addressing various health emergencies and pandemics.As a result, in addition to community awareness and solidarity, through media campaigns that were implemented to promote awareness of the importance of following preventive measures and taking vaccinations, Qatar was able to successfully respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, and there is accumulated experience in the health system that qualifies it to address any emergency health situations in the future.Based on its belief that anti-coronavirus vaccinations remain the most effective way to address the pandemic, the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) launched in January a campaign to vaccinate children from the age of 12 to 15, with the booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.In addition to the National Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, the health system in Qatar has developed a complete methodology for dealing with pandemics, especially after the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, as these measures and procedures succeeded in limiting the spread of the virus in its three waves.The system of proactive investigation and examination during the coronavirus pandemic greatly contributed to limiting the spread of the epidemic, which is an approach taken by MoPH to address infectious epidemics.Since the beginning of the pandemic, the number of people who have been examined until April 8 as part of the investigation for the Covid-19 virus in Qatar has reached more than 3,400,000 people.During the Covid-19 pandemic, Qatar implemented a comprehensive strategy to protect the population from the risk of infection, by adopting a comprehensive approach at the level of all state institutions, while applying effective policies for governance, relying on science and facts, and engaging the public in addressing this pandemic.In order to combat the virus, MoPH has allocated a special line for support and assistance (hotline), that provides inquiries and instructions about the coronavirus and everything related to infectious diseases in a proactive and effective approach, in addition to providing mental health services over the phone, which is one of the proactive steps aimed at protecting society from physical and psychological diseases.MoPH stresses that all the measures it takes to address epidemics are guided by the scientific approach and the evaluation of doctors, as in a number of cases, innovative decisions were implemented in the field of combating the Covid-19 pandemic in line with international practices and protocols, such as the period of isolation for infected people, the time standards for ending isolation, and the use of the viral load to guide the management of infected cases.Along with research conducted by doctors and researchers in Qatar and published in prestigious scientific journals, this scientific approach and optimal use of resources, has enabled local and international efforts to combat the virus, including research that dealt with the effectiveness of the vaccine against new variants and the duration of immunity.In the same context of protecting society from infectious diseases, including the coronavirus, MoPH had launched shortly after the emergence of Covid-19, an application on smartphones called 'Ehteraz', which has been developed to protect the community from the outbreak of Covid-19, as it tracks the transitional chains of the spread of the virus, provides users with accurate information, and helps specialised medical teams to provide healthcare when necessary.This application also alerts community members in case of detection of contact with someone who has been infected with the virus, which also ensures that medical care is received in a timely manner. The application is considered among the practical proactive steps to address pandemics, particularly the Covid-19 pandemic, and it is an example of adapting technology to combat epidemics.Scientists in Qatar have also contributed a great deal of research and scientific studies that help curb infection, especially in the field of COVID-19, including a research study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.The research study showed that, 14 days after receiving the second dose, the vaccination of fully-vaccinated people is 89.5 % effective at preventing infection from the UK variant, and 75 % effective at preventing infection from the South African variant, explaining that both numbers are considered very high.The same study concluded that vaccination is 97.4 % effective in preventing severe or critical illness or death from infection with the British or South African variants of COVID-19.Such scientific studies and medical research in the State of Qatar indicate the readiness -whether in the health sector or the research sector- to always be prepared to address any epidemic or pandemic.Qatar's efforts to address the Covid-19 pandemic were not limited to the interior, as it supported countries and organisations to overcome this pandemic, by providing assistance to dozens of countries, to support their efforts in facing the Covid-19 pandemic.A contribution of $20mn was also allocated to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), in addition to signing a basic contribution agreement with the World Health Organisation (WHO) worth $10mn, to support the organisation's 13th work programme and the initiative to accelerate the availability of tools to combat coronavirus in countries most in need.Qatar believes that working on developing vaccines and treatments, as well as joint scientific co-operation, is pivotal in addressing pandemics.As part of the proactive steps taken by the country to deal with any abnormal health conditions, Qatar, the World Health Organisation and the International Football Association, FIFA signed a memorandum of understanding to provide for events during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, characterised by great impact, sustainability and continuity.During his intervention at Qatar Health Conference 2022, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that the partnership project between the three parties was built on methodological foundations that make raising awareness and promoting health and security concepts a top priority, with more focus on major mass gatherings, adding that a healthy and safe presentation of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will leave a long-lasting legacy in terms of sport and health.For his part, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in the message at the same conference as part of preparations for the FIFA World Cup, that the World Health Organisation worked with the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar to develop a programme that includes simulation exercises and a review of the conditions of large mass gatherings, and this is focused on enhancing the level of health preparedness and security, addressing infectious diseases, maintaining food safety, co-ordination and communication, with the lessons learned to help design health and safety precautions at other major events.He also noted the support provided by Qatar last year through "Let's Work Together" campaign, which highlighted equal opportunities for obtaining the anti-virus (Covid-19) vaccine, testing to detect infection, and treating those infected with the virus, in addition to the participation of the World Health Organization in emergency medical operations in Afghanistan.All the partnerships and support provided by Qatar in order to promote public health locally and internationally are part of the efforts made to address pandemics and to raise awareness about infectious diseases and address them, especially at major events that witness large public gatherings.Through its partnerships, methodologies, and health and scientific systems, Qatar has proven that it has taken all proactive measures that prevent the spread of epidemics through a set of well-studied procedures that are subject to experiments and scientific research.Qatar believes that investing in the health sector is the most successful way to address any exceptional health conditions such as pandemics and epidemics.Despite the great efforts made by the health sector to combat the Covid-19 pandemic over three years, the healthcare system in Qatar continued its growth and development, as investment in new health facilities, services and technologies contributed to the development of the health sector infrastructure in the country in order to meet the health needs, in light of the steady population increase in the country, which are also factors that enable the health sector to address any pandemic or other waves.With the opening of new health facilities, this year the number of hospitals affiliated with Hamad Medical Corp increased to 14, so the healthcare system now includes a number of the most advanced medical technologies in the world, and the number of Primary Health Care Centers in the public sector has now increased to 28 affiliated centres to PHCC and four other centres run by the Qatar Red Crescent Society.The Ministry of Public Health has also prepared the National Health Security Plan, which will enhance the commitment of Qatar to the International Health Regulations, with the participation of the World Health Organisation and partners in the health sector, and work to add a number of precautionary and complementary plans to the national framework for health emergencies.--- Issued as part of the health bulletin of the Federation of Arab News Agencies (FANA)