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QNA
Geneva
Minister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, during her speech at the 75th World Health Assembly in Geneva, stated that Qatar, under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, was able to address the challenges of COVID-19 successfully due to a comprehensive, whole government and whole society approach.
She said Qatar was able to protect the health of the population and the well-being of the economy from the devastating impacts of the pandemic through a balanced scientific approach to public health measures, facilitating a smooth and safe return to normal life.
Dr Al Kuwari said the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic shows that health security is a joint responsibility and that global collaboration, sharing of data and solidarity are essential to ensuring our global health and wellbeing.
Dr Al Kuwari acknowledged the enormous efforts that the World Health Organization has made in leading the global efforts to curb the COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic while also advancing health security, universal health coverage, and the agenda of the WHO general program of works.
Dr Al Kuwari said, “During these difficult times, health systems must not be weakened or threatened, and that we must support each other to defeat this pandemic, prepare for the next public health challenge whether it will come from a communicable disease, the growing non-communicable disease threats, or man-made disasters such as wars and conflicts, and hence, this year’s theme Health for Peace, Peace for Health is timely.”
She stressed that resilient health systems with a strong primary care foundation and skilled healthcare workforce are essential now more than ever. She pointed out that the Qatar National Vision 2030 emphasises the importance of health and education which has resulted in major investments in health.
“This has enabled Qatar to significantly expand its healthcare system, more than doubling the health service capacity. Qatar has also invested heavily in its skilled health workforce and in systems and disaster preparedness. It was this resilience and the dedication of Qatar’s talented health workers that enabled Qatar to have one of the lowest COVID-19 mortality rates in the world and allowed Qatar to contribute to the COVID -19 global scientific understanding through the publication of local data and findings in leading journals and publications,” she added.
Dr Al Kuwari explained that Qatar places great importance on global health security and universal health coverage in both its local policies and its international collaborations. In addition to support initiatives and programmes for individual countries during the pandemic, Qatar signed an agreement with the World Health Organization for a $10 million contribution to support the WHOs 13th programme of works as well as the initiatives of speeding up access to essential supplies needed in the fight against COVID-19.
This supplements previous donations to WHO and other organizations on COVID-19 aiming at ensuring that essential healthcare is not interrupted.
She explained that Qatar has recently signed a partnership with WHO on Sport and Health with the involvement of FIFA. This aims at using the next FIFA World Cup in Qatar as an opportunity to promote physical and mental health, with the aim to build a legacy of knowledge and learning on safe and healthy mass sports gatherings to share with the countries that are planning to host similar events in the future.
The minister expressed her hope that people would be able to visit Qatar for the FIFA World Cup later this year. She said Qatar is a very welcoming country that is proud of sharing its culture with the world and expressed her hope that people can join in Doha and experience Qatar’s culture and hospitality.
Geneva
Minister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari, during her speech at the 75th World Health Assembly in Geneva, stated that Qatar, under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, was able to address the challenges of COVID-19 successfully due to a comprehensive, whole government and whole society approach.
She said Qatar was able to protect the health of the population and the well-being of the economy from the devastating impacts of the pandemic through a balanced scientific approach to public health measures, facilitating a smooth and safe return to normal life.
Dr Al Kuwari said the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic shows that health security is a joint responsibility and that global collaboration, sharing of data and solidarity are essential to ensuring our global health and wellbeing.
Dr Al Kuwari acknowledged the enormous efforts that the World Health Organization has made in leading the global efforts to curb the COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic while also advancing health security, universal health coverage, and the agenda of the WHO general program of works.
Dr Al Kuwari said, “During these difficult times, health systems must not be weakened or threatened, and that we must support each other to defeat this pandemic, prepare for the next public health challenge whether it will come from a communicable disease, the growing non-communicable disease threats, or man-made disasters such as wars and conflicts, and hence, this year’s theme Health for Peace, Peace for Health is timely.”
She stressed that resilient health systems with a strong primary care foundation and skilled healthcare workforce are essential now more than ever. She pointed out that the Qatar National Vision 2030 emphasises the importance of health and education which has resulted in major investments in health.
“This has enabled Qatar to significantly expand its healthcare system, more than doubling the health service capacity. Qatar has also invested heavily in its skilled health workforce and in systems and disaster preparedness. It was this resilience and the dedication of Qatar’s talented health workers that enabled Qatar to have one of the lowest COVID-19 mortality rates in the world and allowed Qatar to contribute to the COVID -19 global scientific understanding through the publication of local data and findings in leading journals and publications,” she added.
Dr Al Kuwari explained that Qatar places great importance on global health security and universal health coverage in both its local policies and its international collaborations. In addition to support initiatives and programmes for individual countries during the pandemic, Qatar signed an agreement with the World Health Organization for a $10 million contribution to support the WHOs 13th programme of works as well as the initiatives of speeding up access to essential supplies needed in the fight against COVID-19.
This supplements previous donations to WHO and other organizations on COVID-19 aiming at ensuring that essential healthcare is not interrupted.
She explained that Qatar has recently signed a partnership with WHO on Sport and Health with the involvement of FIFA. This aims at using the next FIFA World Cup in Qatar as an opportunity to promote physical and mental health, with the aim to build a legacy of knowledge and learning on safe and healthy mass sports gatherings to share with the countries that are planning to host similar events in the future.
The minister expressed her hope that people would be able to visit Qatar for the FIFA World Cup later this year. She said Qatar is a very welcoming country that is proud of sharing its culture with the world and expressed her hope that people can join in Doha and experience Qatar’s culture and hospitality.
