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The Minister of Public Health H E Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari has reiterated the importance of following precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the Qatar National Day (QND) celebrations.
“Our celebrations this year come in an exceptional situation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We urge members of the community to continue their commitment to preventive measures: social distancing, wearing a mask, and avoiding mass gatherings,” Dr. Hanan said in a social media message.
“We also thank you for your commitment in recent months in wearing masks, and maintaining hand hygiene which has been a major factor in us succeeding in efforts to confront the virus.”
“On this national occasion, we offer a special message of congratulations to the healthcare professionals and frontline health workers, volunteers and our partners in the Ministry of Interior, Civil Defense and essential workers who worked in confronting the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Minister added.
In a social media campaign, healthcare officials have emphasised the importance of adhering to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).
“Together we protect the elderly, people with chronic diseases and those who are at the risk of getting COVID-19. Help to protect those vulnerable to the virus by following prevention measures,” said Dr. Hanadi Al Hamad, who is national lead for healthy ageing on the Qatar National Health Strategy.
CEO of the Cuban Hospital, Mohamed Amer Al Marri, said the healthcare sector is ensuring access to the best and high quality medical treatment to all patients. “Your commitment to COVID-19 prevention measures helps our teams to fully perform their role,” he said.
With several countries around the world reporting an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, Consultant Medical Microbiologist and Chairman of Infection Control Committee, Al Wakra Hospital, Dr. Naser Alansari urged people in Qatar to follow precautionary measures to avoid a similar scenario in the country.
“With the evidence of a second wave of COVID-19 occurring around the world it’s important to follow all preventive measures and keep the society safe,” he said.
Measures to tackle COVID-19 in Qatar have succeeded in flattening the curve and limiting the spread of the virus. Executive Director of Operations, Primary Health Care Corporation Dr Samya Abdulla has said that 2020 has been a more challenging year than ever due to COVID-19 but the health sector has been successfully able to overcome it. She stressed the importance of following COVID-19 precautionary measures during the QND celebration as a commitment to continue the success of combating COVID-19.
Chair of the MoPH’s Healthcare Communications Committee, Ali Al Khater said following COVID-19 preventive measures during QND celebration was a collective responsibility.
“We celebrate this year’s Qatar National Day amid COVID-19 pandemic, which requires everyone to adhere prevention measures as a patriotic duty,” he said.
Acting Executive Director, Media at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Nayef Al Shamri, said: “We have successfully organised several campaigns to raise awareness and control COVID-19. We urge the public to continue practicing all prevention measures during the QND celebrations."
