H.E. Minister of Public Health Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari, yesterday met with officials from the Ministry of Defense and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) to celebrate the closing of Lebsayyer Field Hospital as a COVID-19 hospital and transforming it to an isolation facility.

During the meeting, H.E. Dr. Al Kuwari highlighted the significance of Lebsayyer Field Hospital as one of Qatar's dedicated COVID-19 hospitals.

"The operation of Lebsayyer Field Hospital is the result of a strong partnership between the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Defense, and Hamad Medical Corporation and I would like to convey my deep gratitude to the Ministry of Defense for their support of the healthcare sector throughout this pandemic," said H.E. Dr. Al Kuwari

"The rapid commissioning and opening of Lebsayyer Hospital is a wonderful example of the healthcare sector's ability to adapt and innovate during this COVID-19 pandemic and the spirit of national collaboration across sectors. I know that as we, like the rest of the world, start to prepare for a second wave you and your teams will be ready when called to action," added Her Excellency Dr. Al Kuwari.

For his part, Chair of the System-Wide Incident Command Committee for COVID-19 Dr. Saad Al Kaabi said: "The success of our strategy to expand hospital capacity has relied on a system-wide approach, with each COVID-19 facility playing an important role in the delivery of care to patients. Lebsayyer Field Hospital's role as a step-down' hospital for COVID-19 patients who have been discharged from other COVID-19 hospitals, but who still need low-level medical support, has been vital in relieving pressure on the other facilities."

Located near Al Shahaniya on the Dukhan Road, Lebsayyer Field Hospital is a 504-bed facility that was previously used as a military hospital by the MOD. Approximately 170 nurses and 25 doctors have been working in the hospital since it opened in April. The closing of Lebsayyer Field Hospital as a COVID-19 hospital follows the recent closures of Ras Laffan and Mesaieed Hospitals as dedicated COVID-19 treatment facilities.

Clinical Lead for Lebsayyer Field Hospital Dr. Abdulla Al Naimi said: "I am proud of how our doctors, nurses, and support staff at Lebsayyer Field Hospital have responded to the unique challenges presented by COVID-19. At the height of the pandemic here in Qatar we had nearly 500 patients being cared for in the hospital".

"With the number of active COVID-19 cases in Qatar declining, we are also now providing isolation services at Lebsayyer Field Hospital for COVID-19 patients," added Dr. Al Naimi.

Medical Services Commander in the Ministry of Defense Brigadier Dr. Assad Ahmed Assad explained how the MOD has supported the healthcare sector with the operation of Lebsayyer Hospital.

The Ministry of Defense, under the direction of H.E. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, built Lebsayyer Hospital as a military medical facility and we worked hard with the team from HMC to quickly ensure the hospital was suitable for managing COVID-19 patients.

The Ministry of Defense is proud to have supported the Ministry of Public Health and its healthcare partners in Qatar's comprehensive measures to protect the population from COVID-19," said Dr. Assad.

Source: QNA
Cover image credit: MOPH

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