Doha, 08 April 2023 (QNA)

Chairperson of National Human Rights Committee of Qatar (NHRC), Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah has praised the great progress made by Qatar to protect the right to health without discrimination, as one of the economic, social and cultural rights.

Marking the World Health Day, falls on 7th April every year, the NHRC Chairperson praised the efforts of the Ministry of Public Health to open hospitals and health centres during the past and current year, to cover the needs of the population, and provide treatment for free or at nominal prices.

She pointed out that the committee monitored a number of cases in which the treatment of a rare disease was brought to a single patient from abroad, without taking into account the high cost to the state.

She said, “This day is an opportunity to motivate stakeholders to move forward in addressing health challenges, and to stand on the achievements made on the ground.”

She called for the need to continue working to reduce waiting period before obtaining medical consultation appointments in Primary Health Care Centers, increasing the number of medical staff in hospital emergency departments, the need to provide a medical staff commensurate with the number of patients, and increasing outpatient appointments.

She said that the National Human Rights Committee monitored the interest shown by the Ministry of Public Health in mental health, as the ministry, in cooperation with the Primary Health Care Corporation, launched mental health services at Hamad Medical Corporation, and established a hotline to provide support for people who suffer from mental health problems as a result of the COVID-19, through the number (16000).

She added that the hotline includes a team of specialists in the field of mental health, with the possibility of providing evaluation and support to callers from four main categories: children, adults, the elderly, and health care workers, especially on

the front lines, appreciating the provision of the psychological support hotline free of charge to all Residents of the State of Qatar without discrimination, while ensuring confidentiality in dealings.

The NHRC chairperson stated that the right to health is a comprehensive right, and does not depend on providing the necessary health care, but rather includes the basic components of health, such as access to safe drinking water, adequate supply of safe food and nutrition, and the creation of healthy conditions for work and the environment.