The field visits and monitoring team of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) visited workers in some parts of the Industrial Area that were subject to quarantine, several quarantine places for workers in Umm Salal and Mesaieed, and some hotels designed for quarantine to identify the precautionary measures followed and quality health services provided to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

This came as a continuation of the NHRC visits program, which included in the previous stage penal institutions and places of detention. The program will continue during the coming days to include many institutions and bodies concerned with the application of precautionary measures approved by the official authorities to contain COVID-19.

On the goals of the visit to some parts of the industrial area that were subject to quarantine, Vice-Chairman of NHRC and chairman of the field visit and monitoring committee Dr. Mohammed Saif Al Kuwari said that based on NHRC's concern for the health and safety of workers, and everyone who lives in the State of Qatar, it visited the various places of the major human gatherings to inspect the precautionary measures followed, following the tasks entrusted to it, and in implementation of the regulations and laws that regulate the work of the committee.

Dr. Al Kuwari explained that NHRC obtained extensive information about the number of workers in some parts of the industrial area that were subject to quarantine, the size of housing facilities, the conditions of residence and housing of workers, shelter services, and the quality of healthy food and nutritional supplements provided to workers in quarantine in the region, especially those with chronic diseases, and the elderly.

During NHRC team's visit to some parts of the industrial area that were subject to quarantine, it inspected the distribution points of the food baskets for workers, the mechanism of work in them, and distributed some necessary health supplies, including free sterile bags and masks for workers to prevent the epidemic, he added.

He pointed out that the visits and monitoring committee team also briefed officials during the meetings on the implementation of the precautionary measures approved by the state in some parts of the industrial area that were subject to quarantine, especially sterilization and cleaning operations that the region has been subject to since the start of the application of the quarantine, and health services provided to residents and workers.

Dr. Al Kuwari added that the team was briefed on the procedures used to treat people infected with the virus, the preventive medical equipment provided for workers to protect them from the risk of transmission of the virus, including the procedures used to isolate the infected and those who had contact with them, and the plans taken to ensure that the epidemic does not transmit within the industrial area.

About the quality of health care provided to infected workers in some parts of the quarantined industrial area, Dr. Al Kuwari said that the field visit and monitoring committee's team reviewed the work of the mobile inspection units inside the industrial area, which are responsible for examining those living there, and the mechanisms used to conduct examinations, as well as reviewing the process of distributing masks and sterilizers, in addition to visiting several commercial complexes, food stores, pharmacies, and open exchange offices in the industrial area.

The officials of the industrial area have informed the team that the medical centers distribute the medicine free of charge to the needy, and the visit was an opportunity to know about the preparation of a new emergency field clinic that will open soon, he added.

Meanwhile, the team of the NHRC Visits and Monitoring Committee paid a field visit to the quarantine centers for workers infected with coronavirus in Umm Salal and Mesaieed.

NHRC Vice-Chairman and Head of the Visits and Monitoring Committee Dr. Mohammed Saif Al Kuwari said that the team spoke to officials and patients in the centers, and listened to extensive explanations about a number of patients and the general situation inside quarantine areas and the needs of the isolated persons. The team noted great care in terms of attention, accommodation, hygiene, and other additional services, as well as ensuring no overcrowding in the rooms.

In the Umm Salal quarantine center, the team was briefed about the medical services in the center which provides a medical team of 45 people from various medical specialties to ensure close follow-up of any case of infection among the workers since the diagnoses of the infection until completion of treatment.

Al Kuwari noted that the workers' residence areas are provided with laboratories and medical care rooms that include a sufficient number of beds, oxygen tubes, and artificial respirators, if needed, in addition to isolation areas between patients. Places for entertainment and exercise of various sports were also provided in order to maintain the psychological health for residents of those centers. The team was also briefed about the services provided to protect the guards and supervisors at the workers' residence areas and made sure of their benefiting from all health services and medical checks required for doctors and workers.

During the visit, the team also took a closer look at the precautionary measures followed in the hotels which receive the residents subjected to compulsory quarantine decision from the first moment until they leave after ensuring their safety and not being infected with the pandemic, Al Kuwari added.

He noted that the team listened to comprehensive explanations on the health services provided to the residents, and the strict precautionary procedures followed by the hotel management to prevent mixing and secure required distancing, as well as the services provided to ensure the cleanliness of the rooms, the quality of healthy foods, ventilation in the rooms, laundry and other Health services necessary for the safety and security of the residents.

Al Kuwari said that workers in some parts of the Industrial Area subjected to quarantine, as well as those in workers' residence areas visited by the NHRC team and the residents in the hotels, were given the hotlines of the National Human Rights Committee and were urged to contact whenever needed.

Source: Qatar News Agency

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar

Darlene

Start a discussion