Doha: The health sector’s medical and administrative staff has stressed the importance of adhering to COVID-19 prevention guidelines during the holy month of Ramadan.
In a social media campaign they have advised public to take responsibility of following COVID-19 precautions and avoid gatherings throughout the month.
Dr. Hamad Al Rumaihi, Director of the Health Protection and Communicable Diseases Control Department at the Ministry of Public Health, has urged the public to make sure to protect themselves, loved ones by getting vaccinated against COVID-19. “For the second year, we welcome the holy month of Ramadan as we still face a major challenge with increased number of people infected with COVID-19. But the Ministry seeks to expand the COVID-19 vaccination campaign further and ensure that majority of people to be vaccinated and see an end to the pandemic,” he said.
“Therefore we urge everyone eligible to get vaccinated against COVID 19 and follow all precautionary measures,” he added. While, echoing the same Dr. Muna Al Maslamani, Medical Director, Communicable Disease Center, Hamad Medical Corporation has also urged everyone to take responsibility and follow COVID-19 precautionary measures.
“As we welcome the holy month of Ramadan this year, we still face challenges posed by COVID 19 and increased number of cases in the community. This puts immense responsibility before us to follow precautionary measures and protect ourselves, families and society,” she said. “It important for everyone to prevent gatherings and family visits until this pandemic ends,” she added.
Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad, national lead for healthy ageing on the Qatar National Health Strategy has said that the elderly and vulnerable have been protected from COVID-19 by being vaccinated, but urged the community to follow steps to avoid the spread of the virus. “Majority of the elderly who are considered as vulnerable to COVID-19 have been vaccinated in the country. I invite everyone who has not yet received the vaccine to get it as soon as possible, especially with the emergence of the UK strain of the virus,” she said.
“And people should still take proactive steps to protect themselves from COVID-19 and limit the spread of the virus,” she added.
Ali Al Khater, Chief Communications Officer at HMC and Chair of the Healthcare Communications Committee has encouraged people to avoid gatherings during the holy month of Ramadan to prevent the spread of COVID-19. He has also stressed to maintain a social distancing, wear face mask and maintain good hand hygiene as the most important measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.
