Doha, Qatar: The Ambulance Service at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has deployed extra ambulance units and continues to provide uninterrupted service during the Eid Al Adha holidays.
Many ambulances and paramedics are on standby as people enjoy a long weekend, said Assistant Executive Director of the Ambulance Service, Ali Darwish.
Speaking to the Peninsula yesterday he said that 125 ambulances, critical care paramedics, bicycles, golf carts are on standby across the country; and the Ambulance Service has set an effective strategic plan implemented for any potential emergencies during the Eid Al Adha holidays.
“With an aim to provide people with easy access to effective care, the Ambulance Service has set a strategic plan during the Eid holidays. We assure to provide an uninterrupted service to people,” he said.
“On the second day of Eid we dispatched 237 patients and among them, 171 on the first urgent category and 66 were in the second category based on their condition.
“Among all the cases 33 were due to trauma and 204 were medical emergencies,” said Darwish.
He also said that more ambulances are deployed at places which are predicted to attract more people and traffic such as beach areas and in places like the Souq Waqif, Aspire Zone, the Pearl-Qatar, Lusail, and Katara, and the Industrial area.
Three Lifeflights of the Ambulance Service also will be transporting more critical cases.
Darwish assured that other community service, including supported discharge (eg IV antibiotics, dressings at home), transferring patients from one facility to another, long-term care for housebound elderly patients and services at fixed facilities will continue as normal.
HMC has maintained smooth delivery of other emergency services during the first two days of Eid Al Adha holidays by implementing effective management strategies, adequate staffing, and a robust system in place to handle the influx of patients.
HMC’s six Paediatric Emergency Center in Al Saad received more than 2200 cases during the first two days of Eid.
Among them 1223 were seen yesterday mainly for viral illnesses and lower respiratory infections; however, the majority of children had minor to moderate conditions, said Director of Paediatric Emergency, Dr Mohamed Al Ameri.
“Among all patients, only three were admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit due to acute pharyngitis, lower respiratory infection, and meningitis; 64 were kept under observation and discharged later. All other children were seen at outpatient clinics and sent home,” he said.
Speaking about the preparedness of the Paediatric Emergency Departments he said that all six centres have raised their level of readiness for the Eid Al Adha holidays with doctors and nurses working around the clock in rotation, taking into consideration the expected rush.
There are consultants and specialist doctors at the Paediatric Emergency Departments in addition to supporting services such as laboratories, pharmacies and x-ray departments.
The main Emergency Department at Hamad General Hospital (HGH) has treated at least 480 patients on the second day of Eid due to several reasons including stomach ailments, respiratory problems and trauma. Among all cases, 105 were seen for gastrointestinal-related complaints and 54 related to trauma and injuries.
HMC’s Emergency Department maintains a high level of readiness and has competent medical professionals who are trained to make appropriate medical decisions in urgent situations.
“The number of patients visiting Hamad Medical Corporation’s Emergency Department increases during holidays; therefore, the Emergency Department strives to make all necessary arrangements to meet patients’ needs rapidly and appropriately and to provide high-quality medical care to patients,” said Resident Doctor, Emergency Department HMC Dr Lulwa Ahmed Al Khulaifi in a video message posted on HMC social media handles.
“The Emergency Department’s readiness to receive an increased number of patients is based on the development of protocols and adoption of advanced diagnostic techniques which improves the quality of healthcare provided to patients,” she added.
