Two more health centers to serve as COVID-19 testing facilities: PHCC
As Qatar continues to ensure the safety of its citizens and residents against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the country is increasing the number of its testing facilities to examine suspected cases and manage them accordingly.
Adding to its previous COVID-19 designated facilities, the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has announced that the Al Gharaffa Health Center as well as the Umm Slal Health Center will be used as 'test and hold' COVID-19 facilities from today.
In terms of timings, Al Gharaffa Health Center will be open round-the-clock while Umm Slal Health Center will operate from 7 am to 11 pm.
نظراً إلى التطورات الحالية الخاصة بفيروس كورونا (كوفيد–19) ولغايات المحافظة على الصحة، تقوم مؤسسة الرعاية الصحية الأولية بأخذ التدابير الوقائية لمنع انتشار الفيروس، تم تخصيص كلاً من مركز غرافة الريان الصحي ومركز أم صلال الصحي مرفقاً صحياً للحالات المشتبه في إصابتها بفيروس كورونا pic.twitter.com/ktiJDrP7U8
— مؤسسة الرعاية الصحية الأولية (@PHCCqatar) April 8, 2020
All registered patients have been notified of the changes, which include the following:
For Al Gharaffa Health Center:
- Well Baby and Obstetric Ultrasound appointments will now be rescheduled to Leabaib Health Center.
- For walk-in appointments, patients can visit other health centers closeby including Madinat Khalifa, Leabaib, Al Daayen, and Qatar University health centers.
For Umm Slal Health Center:
- Well Baby and Obstetric Ultrasound appointments will now be rescheduled at Qatar University Health Center.
- For walk-in appointments, patients can visit nearby health centers including Madinat Khalifa, Leabaib, Al Daayen, Qatar University health centers.
According to PHCCC, all other clinics for both health centers may be rescheduled in the coming months.
Recently, to offer safer access to primary care services, PHCC introduced its Community Call Center. The center provides telephonic and virtual consultation services to patients who need medical advice.
Those individuals who show mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms may call 16000 and they will be directed to a swabbing facility at a PHCC designated facility for COVID-19 testing.
This is a temporary measure that will help divert people from hospitals and health centers to limit the spread of the infection.
Accordingly, those who are swabbed will receive their results from a healthcare professional once the sample has been tested.
These two newly-designated health centers add to the earlier two health centers allocated for COVID-19 testing. As of now, PHCC operates 4 'test and hold COVID-19 testing facilities.
Earlier, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) had also announced that the Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital (HMGH) will be used as a treatment facility for COVID-19 patients.
The aim is to ensure that the patients receive high-quality care in an integrated facility, HMC said.
As of April 9, 2020, it has been recorded that more than 41,800 people have undergone COVID-19 testing in Qatar.
Moreover, this week, some United Nations representatives praised Qatar's efforts in fighting the disease at the national level and for all the people who live in the country without discrimination by providing free medical examinations and high-quality services.
Meanwhile, health authorities in the country continue to implement the highest level of monitoring, detection, and management procedures to deal with the virus, the public has been advised to follow certain measures to safeguard their health.
For any queries, or concerns related to COVID-19 in Qatar, the public can contact a 24/7 hotline set up by the Ministry. The hotline number is 16000 and is toll-free.
Here's everything you need to know about the virus, including ways to protect yourself.
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