search

Qatar’s private healthcare sector ready to deliver smooth services during World Cup

Qatar’s private healthcare sector ready to deliver smooth services during World Cup

The Peninsula

Qatar’s private healthcare sector will play a significant role in providing medical services to visiting fans during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has listed 15 private healthcare providers operating 24-hour emergency and urgent care services.

The Ministry has also said that visiting fans who have travel insurance with healthcare coverage should check with the private healthcare sector medical facilities for payment terms and conditions as per the insurance policy.

The 15 facilities include Al Emadi Hospital, Doha Clinic Hospital, Al Ahli Hospital, Naseem Al Rabeeh Medical Centre, Queen Hospital, Turkish Hospital, Rayhan Medical Complex, Dr. Moopen’s Aster Hospital, Sidra Medicine, West Bay Medicare, Al Wakra Clinics and Urgent Care Unit, Al Emadi Hospital Clinics – North, Aman Hospital, Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine, and Future Medical Center.

Some leading private healthcare providers told The Peninsula that they are ready to serve an increased number of people and deliver smooth healthcare services during the World Cup.

Chief Operating Officer of Aster DM Healthcare in Qatar, Kapil Chib said the healthcare group is fully prepared to deal with an influx of patients if needed.

“Aster DM Healthcare has supported healthcare efforts at recent major sporting events in the best possible way. We have done our preparation, assuring operations throughout the tournament; and staffing planning and execution are done accordingly,” he said.

“As part of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, we have geared up to support in case there is an influx of more patients. We have reserved our full staff strength which will help us to manage if we get more patients and will be able to cater based on our scope of services. Also, our supply chain management has been evaluated to meet the demand in terms of medication, and items that are required to support patient care.”

Chib said Aster DM Healthcare is also trained under the National IPC strategic plan on infection control of mass gatherings. “Our team shall work adhering to the national IPC Risk assessment (ICRA) applied in different healthcare facilities providing care or urgent care during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Current MoPH guidelines are accessible to the target group and will support patient care service to visitors and fans based on the official scope of service, of the facility covering urgent care – emergency preparedness. Robust triage process and patient pathway in place across our facilities.

“Our clinical team is trained in identifying and the notification of communicable diseases and management of suspected or confirmed cases based on MoPH pre-defined criteria. Our infection control team is working round the clock and is committed to ensuring safe care is delivered adhering to the highest infection control standards,” he added.

Al Ahli Hospital, a major healthcare provider, has a highly trained and qualified team of professionals. It Emergency Department has varied specialities in order to give immediate treatment and assistance to any given medical situation.

Medical Director at Al Ahli Hospital, Dr. Abdul Azim Abdul Wahab Hussain said that the Emergency Department retains both consultant and specialist services in emergency medicine, internal medicine and surgery.

The department gives top priority to trauma cases in order to resuscitate and stabilise them at the earliest possible time with the highest quality of care.

“We are fully prepared to serve fans and visitors during the World Cup. We have 17 consultants at the Emergency Department and we have expanded the rooms to accommodate more patients. We have arranged more rooms on the second floor. If needed, we can transfer patients. In case of need, we can bring staff from other departments. Annual and other leaves have been postponed for all staff during the tournament so we have enough number of staff,” said Dr. Hussain. “But we expect to see guests only with minor conditions like common cold and fever, and wish not to see any serious cases.”

Al Ahli Hospital has 250 inpatient beds and caters for around 2,000 guests daily in its clinics, and outpatient and emergency departments.