Q Life Magazine Issue 8 | Page 13

Resilient by nature There’s been no greater time to be working in Qatar’s healthcare sector. Dr. Abdullatif Al Khal Chair of the National Strategic Group on COVID-19 and Head of the Infectious Diseases Division at HMC “The second key area is our extensive, proactive testing strategy which has enabled us to quickly identify a large number of positive cases and provide them with the medical care they need at an early stage,” explains Dr. Al Khal. The third area is Qatar’s ability to protect the most vulnerable members of society through specialist medical services and additional awareness and educational campaigns. Despite the healthcare system’s focus on combatting COVID-19, Qatar has placed a great importance on maintaining essential day-to-day services. “Every week across our system we have provided telemedicine consultations to more than 35,000 patients; delivered more than 400 babies; provided chemotherapy to over 550 cancer patients; responded to more than 5,000 emergency calls to the Ambulance Service; and managed more than 20,000 visits to our urgent care and emergency departments.” Seeing the strength and resilience of healthcare workers has given Dr. Al Khal courage and confidence in Qatar’s ability to beat the virus. “The skill and dedication of our doctors, nurses and support staff is our most powerful and valuable resource in this battle.” 13