Her Excellency Qatar’s Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari visited Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital (HMGH) today as the facility prepares to resume normal services again following its role as a dedicated COVID-19 facility since the end of March last year.

“One of the key elements of our COVID-19 strategy since the start of the pandemic has been to expand hospital capacity to ensure every COVID-19 patient needing medical treatment can access the care they need without delay. Along with the Communicable Disease Center, Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital was one of the first of seven hospitals to be designated as COVID-19 facilities over the past 15 months and its dedicated teams have cared for more than 10,344 patients since the start of the pandemic,” commented Dr Al Kuwari.

“Our ability to expand intensive care capacity at Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, and across HMC’s hospital network, has been a key factor in Qatar having one of the lowest COVID-19 mortality rates in the world. This is a truly remarkable achievement and testament to the commitment and expertise of every member of staff at the hospital,” she added.

“The reopening of normal healthcare services at Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, following recent recommencement of services at the Surgical Speciality Center and Al Wakra Hospital, comes as we continue to see fewer people admitted to hospital with COVID-19,” Dr Al Kuwari said.

HE the Minister said this has been possible due to the community’s adherence to the precautionary measures, and the fast roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination program.

“We have successfully suppressed the second wave of the virus and continue to see the number of new daily cases, and hospitalizations, fall,” she added.

As part of the visit HE the Minister met with the senior leadership team at HMGH and presented a plaque of appreciation to formally recognize the vital role the hospital’s staff have played.

She also met with three recovered COVID-19 patients who had been admitted to the hospital and successfully treated for their symptoms.

HMC’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Abdulla Al Ansari, said, “Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital has been a vital element of our COVID-19 strategy. In March 2020, the teams worked incredibly hard to transform this general hospital into a COVID-19 facility and significantly expand its capacity. The hospital increased its normal capacity from 102 acute care beds to a maximum of 557 acute beds, while also increasing intensive care capacity from 16 beds to 230 ICU beds.”

“Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital has cared for the sickest patients with the most complex conditions, as well as the most surgical specialities for COVID-19 patients. The hospital has been supported by staff and resources from across HMC for the past 15 months in what has been a system-wide effort. I am incredibly proud of everyone involved in the transformation of this hospital into a COVID-19 facility and in the delivery high-quality care to thousands of patients throughout this pandemic. They are all healthcare heroes,” Dr Al Ansari said.

With the hospital’s role of caring solely for COVID-19 patients coming to an end, HMGH will return to providing normal medical services to people living in the Industrial Area and surrounding areas.

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Cover Image Credit and Source: HMC