Take extra precautions during Ramadan: HMC

Doha: Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Hamad Injury Prevention Program (HIPP), the community outreach arm of the Hamad Trauma Center, has issued advice on how to stay safe during the holy month.

“Ramadan is a special time of the year during which Muslims are reminded to concentrate on their faith, practice self-control, and show compassion to others,” said Dr Hassan Al Thani, Head of the Hamad Trauma Center. 

“Ramadan presents its own unique challenges as people adjust to a new routine, and these challenges have the potential to increase the risk of injury. Traditionally, we have seen a rise in the number of trauma admissions during Ramadan due to motor vehicle crashes, but the risk of injury at home may also be increased during this time,” added Dr  Al Thani.

Hamad Medical Corporation’s Hamad Injury Prevention Program (HIPP), the community outreach arm of the Hamad Trauma Center, is issuing advice on how to stay safe during the Holy Month of Ramadan. pic.twitter.com/cdqZ3spFEJ

— Hamad Medical Corp. (@HMC_Qatar) May 15, 2018

“We encourage everyone to take extra precautions during Ramadan, whether they are at home, at work, or traveling around Qatar, so that we can all enjoy this important time of year safely,” said Dr Al Thani.  Fasting can affect people’s ability to concentrate, especially during the first few days of Ramadan when they are adjusting to their new routine. It is therefore important that people pay extra attention when driving, operating machinery or using potentially harmful household items such as knives and gas cookers. 

“A key factor contributing to the increase in motor vehicle crashes, and therefore subsequent injuries, comes when people drive without due care when trying to reach their destination to break their fast at Iftar,” said Dr Aisha Fathi Abeid, Assistant Director of the Hamad Injury Prevention Program. 

“For this reason, we ask that people allow extra time to reach their destination so that they are not rushing to get to the place where they will break their fast. As always, the single most important action you can take to protect yourself in a vehicle is to wear a seatbelt at all times. If you are not in the habit of regularly wearing your seatbelt, we encourage you to use Ramadan as the time to begin this good habit,” added Dr Abeid.  The Hamad Injury Prevention Program has advised people take precautions on roads and at home to avoid accidents.