By Sanaullah Ataullah

DOHA: Minister of Public Health H E Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari has officially inaugurated Al Hemaila Medical Centre for workers in the Industrial Area.

The opening is expected to help boost services offered by the centre to expatriate workers and cut the waiting times significantly.

The centre has a capacity of 24,000 visiting patients a month and will be operated by Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) as part of an agreement with the ministry.

The centre includes 11 general clinics, specialised clinics in the fields of cardiology, dentistry, ophthalmology, radiology and echo; and two inpatient clinics.

The new facility also has sections for acute cases, minor surgeries and bandaging, laboratory, pharmacy and triage.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior officials from the ministry and QRCS.

It is the second health centre for expatriate workers opened this year after Mesaimeer Health Centre.

Several health projects for workers are scheduled to be inaugurated in the coming phase, including three hospitals, a specialised centre for diabetes-associated diseases and a Medical Commission unit in Ras Laffan.

'The ministry is keen to provide complete health services to workers at their localities,” said Dr. Al Kuwari. The inauguration of the centre is part of the expansion of health projects to meet the needs of the people in Qatar.

'This month witnessed the inauguration of three health centres — two health and wellness centres run by Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and Al Hemaila Medical Centre.

'Several health projects are set to complete and will contribute to the development of our health system and provision of high-standard services for citizens and residents,” she added.

'These health projects are an integral part of efforts being exerted to achieve Qatar National Vision 2030 that states ‘Qatar aspires to develop an integrated system for healthcare, managed according to world-class standards... All health services [of this system] will be accessible to the entire population,” Dr Al Kuwari added.

Dr. Al Kuwari expressed thanks to the Private Engineering Office which built the centre and has been participating in the construction of several important health projects in accordance with high-quality standards.

'This official opening will improve the delivery of health care services to our patients,” Taher Giaedi, Chief Operating Officer, Medical Affairs Division, QRC, told The Peninsula.

'We shared with the Minister of Public Health that once the centre goes into full capacity, we should be able to see more patients and provide better health care.”

'This goes along with the ministry"; plan to provide more and better care to expatriates workers,” said Giaedi.

'The Centre is the latest joint achievements of Ministry of Public Health and the Qatari Red Crescent, said Fahad Bin Mohammed Al Naimi, Executive Director and Acting Secretary General of the Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS).

'Ministry has thankfully entrusted us with the mission of managing and running a series of health workers centers and units of Medical Commission, in the framework of the strategic partnership between the two entities since a long time,” he added.

Over these years of cooperation, QRCS has operated such health facilities efficiently and skillfully through the appointment of highly qualified and trained medical and administrative staff, which, in addition to QRCS";s extensive expertise in the medical sector, has enabled it to provide distinctive service for patients.

It is worth noting that the Government of the State of Qatar has a genuine commitment to the welfare of expatriate workers for being the society";s largest segment and the most needful of support. QRCS, as a supporter of the state";s humanitarian and social efforts, places priority on the needs of expatriate workers through provision of social aids, health care, health education, and the other aspects of care.

The Peninsula