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Health authorities have encouraged the public to differentiate between emergency and non-urgent conditions while the seeking health services, especially during Eid Al Fitr holidays.
Dr. Abdulnasir Howaidi, Sr. Consultant, Emergency Department at Hamad General Hospital (HGH), said people should seek treatment at health centres for conditions such as flu-like symptoms, mild burns, toothache, skin irritation, earache, and backache.
Emergency services should be required for conditions such as suspected stroke, severe allergic reaction, broken bones, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, severe burn or bleeding and seizures.
Dr. Howaidi said that some 328 cases were seen during the first 12 hours on the first day of Eid and about more than 50% of patients brought by the Ambulance Service came inside the hospital in a wheelchair.
“The number of cases seen at Emergency Department on the first day of Eid has reduced compared to previous years. Yet, 133 were brought to the HGH Emergency Department by the Ambulance Service and 69 of them needed only a wheelchair to come inside the hospital. This means they were not in critical condition,” Dr. Howaidi told The Peninsula.
He said that the emergency departments and ambulance service of HMC provide care to thousands of people with emergency medical conditions. But the emergency departments and ambulance service are for most severe injuries and conditions. “People should take responsibility and primary health centres are the best option for people with non-emergency conditions,” said Dr. Howaidi, who is also a member of the expert panel at the Ministry of Public Health.
Among those seen at the HGH’s Emergency Department on the first day of Eid, 56 were reported with abdominal and digestive problems, 8 were due to trauma and some were reported with high blood sugar levels and those with kidney related conditions.
The Ambulance Service transported 671 patients between 5pm on Wednesday and 5pm on Thursday to different hospitals across Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). Among them 536 were due to medical conditions and 112 were transported due to trauma and road accidents.
Three patients were airlifted. The Acting Chairman of Paediatrics and Director of Paediatric Centres at HMC, Dr. Mohamed Al Amri said that 560 cases were seen at Paediatric Emergency Centers including Al Rayyan, Airport, Al Sadd, Al Dayen and Al Shamal. According to him, their main complain was fever though all cases were minor.
“There were no serious conditions and no admissions to paediatric intensive care units or to hospitals .All cases were minor cases and all patients were treated and discharged,” he said.
Dr. Al Amri said that others were treated for viral illnesses such as larynx pharyngitis, and mild bronchial asthma
