WHO director-general visits HMC facilities

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), and HE Dr Hanan Mohamed al-Kuwari, Minister of Public Health, visited several health facilities at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Saturday. During the visit, the WHO director-general was briefed on part of the work of HMC's Tobacco Control Centre, a WHO collaborating facility, as well as the Hamad Trauma Centre and Qatar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI), both of which are nominated for co-operation with WHO. World Health Organisation collaborating centres are institutions assigned by the director-general of WHO to carry out activities that support the organisation's programmes. There are currently more than 800 WHO collaborating centres in 80 countries. The director-general of WHO also heard from officials of the three centres, and reviewed some of the advanced technologies and distinctive services provided by them in accordance with the best international standards. HMC's Tobacco Control Centre trains medical personnel in tobacco control in Qatar and the Eastern Mediterranean countries to ensure the best quality of healthcare, provide treatment to tobacco users, spread health awareness, promote healthy lifestyles in the community and publish scientific research to update scientific information in this field. The centre includes a section on innovative treatments, such as laser therapy, to help smokers quit. Hamad Trauma Centre provides high-quality accident and emergency care. It has state-of-the-art advanced diagnostic technology, the latest high-pressure rooms that provide oxygen therapy for various health conditions, including accidents, as well as five fully equipped rooms to be converted into mini-operating theatres in the event of a mass injury or accident requiring immediate surgical intervention. The centre is also linked to the adjacent surgical services facility to transport patients quickly and smoothly to the Intensive Care Unit or the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, as well as surgical rooms, and is equipped with a dedicated platform for the arrival of patients transported in ambulances to Hamad General Hospital. QRI provides integrated, world-class rehabilitation services and state-of-the-art patient-focused care tailored to each patient's individual needs. The centre's services include rehabilitation of patients recovering from stroke, spinal cord and brain injuries, amputation, complex fractures, heart and lung diseases, neurological disorders and neuromuscular disorders. During the visit, the director-general was accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Public Health and HMC.