Doha: At least 1,144 patients were treated at the Hamad Medical Corporation’s main Emergency Department at Hamad General Hospital (HGH) during the first three days of Eid Al Fitr.
However, none of the cases was critical and the numbers have reduced compared to previous years, said a senior physician. The cases the department received were due to road traffic accidents, stomach ailments, and chronic conditions such as cardiac problems, diabetes and trauma due to different reasons.
According to data of three days of Eid Al Fitr in 2020, the Emergency Department at HGH had received 1,485 patients. The number of cases seen during the Eid Al Fitr this year has reduced as a result of several reasons such as awareness created among the public, following preventive measures against COVID-19 among others, said Dr. Abdulnasir Howaidi, Senior Consultant at the Emergency Department.
“The number of cases has definitely reduced compared to previous years. This could be due to the COVID-19 restrictions. This could be due to the awareness created among the public about healthy eating habits, safety measures. Also the present COVID-19 situation has made people stay home and safe,” he told The Peninsula.
On the third day of Eid, Emergency Department received 403 patients. Among them 37 had abdominal problems and 11 were due to road accidents.
According to him, emergency cases received at the HGH were not serious or critical and most of them were present with simple or routine conditions. He also urged the public to follow traffic rules and drive safe during the holidays.
“As we were well prepared to receive patients during the Eid holidays everything was smooth. With the team of specialised doctors, nurses and paramedics, we ensure that operations are not affected and patients are given the best care,” said Dr. Howaidi.
The Ambulance Service has transported 739 people due to medical and trauma conditions yesterday. Among them 597 were due to medical emergencies and 117 were related to trauma and road traffic accidents and two people were transported by Lifeflight (air-ambulances).
“The reason why people called the Ambulance Service (999) was general between light to moderate causes. We didn’t have any serious incident. There were geriatric, regular weakness, allergic reaction, and abdominal pains,” said Ali Darwish, Assistant Executive Director of the Ambulance Service.
“The ones, who were evacuated by air, were from outside the area of Doha such as in the North, South and West. Because of the area we use Lifeflight to transfer the patient to Doha,” he added. The Ambulance Service has transported a total of 2131 patients during the first three days of Eid Al Fitr.
