The Shura Council State of Qatar

The Shura Council held its regular weekly meeting on Monday at Tamim bin Hamad Hall under the chairmanship of HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim.

Attended by HE Minister of Public Health Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari along with a number of experts at the ministry, the session discussed the Ministry's efforts in providing health care and developing the health system through the implementation of the National Health Strategy, and reviewed the most important achievements in this aspect.

At the outset of the session, HE Shura Council Speaker welcomed HE Minister of Public Health, commending the efforts exerted by the ministry towards implementing the National Health Strategy, and providing integrated high-quality health services.

For her part, HE Minister of Public Health delivered a presentation that covered the most important health issues and medical services provided by the state to citizens, in addition to the future plans for the health sector and the most important challenges facing it.

Furthermore, Her Excellency presented the Ministry's achievements at the local, regional and international levels, especially in light of the difficult circumstances the world had witnessed as a result of the outbreak of the (COVID-19) pandemic. She also attended to all remarks and inquiries raised by members of the Council.

Her Excellency affirmed that the health system of the State of Qatar strong and of high and world-class quality and professionalism, thanks to the unlimited support of the wise leadership HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

She added that the Ministry of Public Health is working with its partners in the health sector to enhance the health of the Qatari community in accordance with its health strategies that aim to realize Qatar National Vision 2030, through its medical facilities which are equipped with the latest advanced technologies, and the expansion of these facilities in various parts of the country and providing them with professionals in various specializations.

She said that the health sector has made many achievements at the local, regional and international levels, as it was able to implement a successful strategy to combat COVID-19 and reduce life disruption; and also managed and implemented a health strategy for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, that provided services to more than 50,000 patients in 100 locations.

HE Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari referred to a number of development initiatives, including the launch of the first phase of the health insurance system, with the implementation of compulsory health insurance for visitors, in addition to taking a number of measures to address the problem of delaying appointments, by changing the appointment booking policy, and establishing appointment management in each hospital.

Her Excellency noted that the Ministry of Public Health has obtained many international accreditations and advanced rankings in the field of providing health services.

She stated that work is currently underway to launch the third national health strategy during this year, after the second strategy was successfully completed and more than 90 percent of its outputs were achieved, despite the difficulties witnessed in the past years as a result of the (COVID-19) crisis. Her Excellency also referred to future projects for the health sector, which are in the interest of citizens and residents.

Responding to the remarks of Their Excellencies members of the Shura Council, HE the Minister of Public Health confirmed that the Ministry will take into account all the observations, proposals and perceptions expressed by the members of the Council.

She pointed to the attention the Ministry attaches to external centers by adding specialized clinics, working to reduce the waiting period for patients in emergency rooms, focusing on and attracting local medical personnel, paying attention to services provided to patients with autism, and strengthening mental health services.

Their Excellencies members of the Shura Council commended the efforts of the Ministry of Public Health in developing the health system, stressing the Council's keenness to support these efforts to enhance the country's health sector in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

The remarks of the members of the Council focused on the need to solve the problem of delaying appointments, which exacerbates the suffering of patients, affects the quality of treatment provided to them, and sometimes forces them to resort to private hospitals to avoid long waiting lists.

They also discussed the issue of hospital capacity, stressing the need to increase the number of beds to accommodate more patients without delay.

In the same context, the members of the Shura Council underlined the need to develop external health facilities (outside the city of Doha) and expand the provision of services similar to those provided by the main facilities. They also demanded giving more attention to emergency departments in hospitals, and expanding health services to keep up with the growth in population; in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, especially with regard to the health sector.

Their Excellencies members of the Shura Council called for coordination with educational institutions to guide Qatari youth of both genders to study the required disciplines in the health sector and to attract them to work in it. They praised the budgets allocated by the state for the health sector, to further enhance the health services.

At the end of the presentation, HE the Speaker of the Shura Council, in his name and on behalf of his fellow members of the Council, expressed his utmost thanks and appreciation to HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani for the great attention His Highness attaches to the health sector, pointing that the State of Qatar has witnessed great progress in this field, in addition to the significant expansion in the provision of integrated health services, and the provision of the necessary budgets for the establishment of new health projects besides the expansion of existing facilities.

His Excellency lauded the efforts of the Ministry of Public Health during the (COVID-19) time, which had a tangible impact in controlling the outbreak, in addition to its efforts during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

His Excellency also affirmed the Council's keenness to support the Ministry and provide everything necessary to achieve its goals in providing integrated health care in line with the country's plans to advance all sectors and achieve sustainable development that the country seeks under the leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.