The Ministry of Public Health and other healthcare providers continue to deliver all services to the public without interruption despite the two month long blockade imposed on the country.
Services provided by the health sector have not been affected and the Ministry continues to implement all health projects that aim to maintain sustainable development of health services and increase the potential and capabilities of the health sector.
The Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), prime healthcare provider in the country, has said there is “no risk on public health” because there is no shortage of medicines or medical supplies, due to the blockade imposed. It has assured that all health services provided by its hospitals are functioning normally and there is no shortage of medical supplies or medicines because of the blockade imposed. HMC has said that it has stocks of medicines and other important medical supplies for many months.
Also the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has confirmed that there is no shortage of drugs as well as delivery and access to medical supplies and medicine continues as usual.
Several private pharmacies, pharmaceutical experts, private hospitals and polyclinics The Peninsula spoke to at different occasions rejected the notion that the blockade had an impact on the availability of medicines by saying stocks of certain medicines are still available and in the meantime have started receiving medicines and medical supplies from alternative import countries.
Within a short time of two months private hospitals and polyclinics have started receiving medicines from new import countries. Companies which bring pharmaceutical products as well as some private healthcare providers have started to import medicines from countries including the UK and Jordan.
Also the blockade or change of import countries has not made an impact on the medicines prices. While patients say that they had a perception of shortage of medicines and that prices might increase but it turned out to be wrong both at private and public hospitals.
