Medical Director of Hamad General Hospital, Dr. Yousef Al Maslamani
Medical Director of Hamad General Hospital, Dr. Yousef Al Maslamani, has said that community role is crucial in containing COVID-19 pandemic.
“The cases of infection in Qatar declined due to compliance of people to preventive measures. The cases will further go down if people adhere strictly to the measures and instructions which will help moving to the second phase of gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions smoothly,” said Dr. Al Maslamani.
Speaking to Qatar TV yesterday, he said that reaction of any pandemic came from two sides - government and public. “The government role is to detect the disease, provide treatments as per the cases like admitting patients in hospitals, ICUs and giving medicines. If they need isolation provide that service as well,” said Dr. Al Maslamani. However, he said, only government efforts cannot curb the pandemic without the cooperation of the public.
“People will have to play crucial role in curbing the spread of coronavirus infection. The government can help in making laws related to preventive measures and issue instructions based on scientific information. The community role is to follow the measures. If they adhere to the measures the cases of infection will decrease otherwise it will go up,” said Dr. Al Maslamani.
To a question about adding new features to Ehteraz app, he said that the new features have been added based on the scientific studies which prove that the antibodies in COVID-19 recovered patients remain up to nine months.
“Responding to the international researches on the issue, Qatar initiated in confirming the information and issued law which reflects in Ehteraz app,” said Dr. Al Maslamani.
He said that the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in coordination with Ministry of Interior decided to update the Ehteraz app in a way to show the status of recovered person.
“The move aims to ensure that recovered people can access to the facilities where vaccinated people are allowed to go availing the privileges granted in phase one gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions,” said Dr. Al Maslamani.
To a question about using Ehteraz app in other GCC countries, he said that GCC health ministers have signed an agreement in this regard.
“We started working on the technical aspects of the agreement from the day one regarding Ehteraz app and those related to entry and exit among GCC countries,” said Dr. Al Maslamani. He said that the agreement will be implemented gradually as long as the system will be ready to do so.
