14 Wednesday, April 1, 2020 The Last Word Community leaders laud COVID-19 updates in multiple languages ed to the rest of the com- campaigns in various languag- Authorities are in constant touch with munities also through various es, especially in reaching out leaders of large expatriate communities means. to those in labour camps. Bay- “We truly appreciate how anihan Qatar is a federation Ailyn Agonia He said communication the Qatar government has of more than 20 community lines were opened between reached out to community groups mainly from the grass- expat communities and the leaders early on to provide the roots level. The leaders of various expa- authorities early on to ensure necessary information for our “It is a remarkable effort triate communities in Qatar that important information compatriots. It is ideal that from the Qatar government have praised the tireless ef- is well-communicated to the such information and updates to ensure all residents have forts of the government in pro- residents as part of the gov- are communicated in our own access to timely information viding expat communities with ernment’s efforts to ensure the language to avoid confusion pertaining to the current sit- timely updates and reminders health and safety of all. in the community. Through uation in the country. In our on coronavirus (COVID-19) He added that regular the government’s proactive organisation, we are actively outbreak through information meetings between the authori- approach, we are also given disseminating any coronavi- materials translated into their ties and community leaders Filipino community leader Eng a chance to express our rec- rus updates from the authori- own languages. have also served as platforms Henry Dimaano ommendations on how each ties. Similarly, the leadership According to Filipino com- for the expats to lodge recom- community can support the of Bayanihan Qatar is con- munity leader Eng Henry mendations on how to better campaign. Speaking in Filipi- initiatives to fight the spread stantly reminding the mem- Dimaano, the authorities are reach out to more residents no language, Dimaano warns of the virus. We are glad to bers to adhere to the rules constantly in touch with the and seek their cooperation his compatriots against hold- work side by side with Qatar and regulations in the coun- leaders of big expat commu- in the initiatives to fight the ing any form of gatherings, government in this difficult try in order to prevent further nities in the country, mainly spread of COVID-19. including prayers, in public time,” Dimaano told Qatar spread of coronavirus, such from South Asia, Southeast On Monday, an aware- places including rooftop of any Tribune. as the importance of staying Asia and Africa, pertaining to ness video featuring Dimaano buildings and the punishment Bayanihan Qatar President at home and tuning in to reli- the prevailing situation in Qa- was widely circulated to com- measures for violators. Similar Jerry Ronquillo also stressed able news sources,” Ronquil- tar. munity groups as part of the information was communicat- the impact of information lo added. An awareness leaflet from Qatar government in Filipino language Ashghal shifts Al Wakra’s Pearl QRCS steps up measures to curb COVID-19 spread Monument to Old Souq locality Tribune News Network Doha The well-known monument reflects the pearl diving heritage of Al Wakra The Qatar Red Crescent Society’s Medical Affairs Di- Tribune News Network vision (QRCS) has stepped Doha up its efforts to tackle the coronavirus (COVID-19) The Public Works Authority pandemic and its commu- (Ashghal) has completed relo- nity effects. All medical cation of the well-known Pearl professionals and technical Monument to the roundabout resources have been mobi- previously known as Al Far- lised. dah Roundabout in Al Wakra QRCS operates in col- QRCS operates in collaboration with health authorities and institutions Old Souq adjacent to Al Wakra laboration with health au- under the umbrella of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management. port. thorities and institutions The relocation works were under the umbrella of the Coronavirus disease, and implemented in collaboration Supreme Committee for how to contact the compe- with the Private Engineering Crisis Management the su- tent organisations to report Office (PEO), as part of the ex- pervisory body overseeing a case. pressway project to upgrade of all related medical and vol- In addition, a number of Al Wakra Main Road. unteering activities. online training courses were The Pearl Monument QRCS has set up an op- held for 10,000 people from has been relocated to enable erations room to collect 15 organisations, includ- the reconstruction the Pearl timely information and post ing Qatar Post, Hamad In- Roundabout into a signal-con- public awareness messages ternational Airport (HIA), trolled intersection, as part of online and through social Hamad Port, Al-Ruwais the Al Wakra Main Road Up- media. Port, United Development grade Project. QRCS posts various Co. (UDC) and private com- Ashghal’s initiative stems The Pearl Monument has been relocated to enable the reconstruction the Pearl Roundabout into a signal- written and audiovisual panies. from it keenness to preserve controlled intersection, as part of the Al Wakra Main Road Upgrade Project. messages in the six languag- QRCS and MoPH work the culture heritage of Qatar es of the main communities unusual cases. Multilingual together to provide medical and in an alignment to Qatar rate installation considering grading of Al Wakraj Main tends 9 kilometres and the in Qatar. As the only service health education is provid- services at the two quaran- National vision 2030. There the heavy weight of two shells Road, which extends 5.5 km road traffic capacity will be of its kind, sign language is ed by the medical staff and tine facilities in Mukaynis, were also calls from the citi- that mounts 12 tonnes.” from the previously known upgraded from two to three used in a number of mes- on public screens to the visi- as well as 28 other quar- zens of Al Wakra for the pres- Eng Nouh al Joof from the Pearl Roundabout to Wo- lanes in each direction which sages addressed to persons tors at waiting areas. antine locations, including ervation of the Pearl Monu- Highway Projects Department qod station, located towards will alleviate traffic congestion with special needs. Currently, QRCS has Hazm and Umm ment as a landmark of Al said: “The process also includ- Messaieed city. Construction during peak time. Under the guidance 623 medical professionals Qarn. Work is going on 24/7 Wakra City. ed restoration of some parts works include the conversion Al Wakra main road cre- of the Ministry of Public on duty, including physi- to offer nine medical ser- The decision to restore the of the monument that were of the three roundabouts ates a strategic link between Health (MoPH), 57,700 cians, first responders, nurs- vices, including reception, Pearl Monument at Al Wakra affected by the transportation of Pearl, Ooredoo and Afja Doha and Al Wakra, as it is di- visitors have so far received es, technicians, trainers, and examinations, and referrals. Old Souq is to highlight the process to ensure that it re- (known as Jabal rounda- rectly connected to the newly- medical services from the health educators. The emer- In cooperation with coastal nature of the city along mains for the longest possible bout) to signalised intersec- opened Expressway projects of four Workers health centres gency ambulance service is MoPH and Hamad Medi- with its distinct heritage, char- period. Following the identifi- tions. Additionally, two new G-Ring Road and the southern operated by QRCS. They are on standby, to be deployed cal Corporation (HMC), a acteristics and history. cation of the new location, we signalised intersections will part of Doha Express Highway situated in Mesaimeer, Fer- immediately after the MoPH medical team is conducting Constructed in the eighties had to find technical solutions be constructed in Al Razi ‘Al Wakra Bypass’. Addition- eej Abdul-Aziz, New Indus- has been issued. QRCS has health screening in many of last century, the design of to overcome the high ground street and towards Al Wukair ally, it serves the residential trial Area and Zekreet. 50 highly equipped and san- areas, companies, and or- the monuments was inspired water level.” Road. complexes located on both The centres usually op- itised ambulance vehicles, ganisations such as Nak- by the tranquil coastal nature Ashghal has commenced Al Wakra Main Road eastern and western sides of erate 24/7 through the fol- run by well-trained para- ilat and Qatar Cultural and of Al Wakra City. It reflects the the construction works for the serves a large number of the road. The main road of Al lowing clinics: GP, ENT, medics licensed by Qatar Heritage Events Center pearl diving heritage of the city. conversion of roundabouts all neighbourhoods and residen- Wakra will also be integrated cardiology, dentistry, pul- Council for Healthcare Prac- (QCHEC). They also pro- Eng Saleh al Sheiba from over Al Wakra main Road to tial and commercial complex- with the Qatar Metro Station. monology, ophthalmology, titioners (QCHP). vide health education and Highway Projects Department, signalised Junctions follow- es in Al Wakra and Al Wukair. The upgrade of Al Wakra dermatology, laboratory, X- Over the past few weeks, awareness for the public. Ashghal, said: “The installa- ing the successful opening of It is a vital expressway project main road is one of the key ray, and pharmacy. the QRCS health education Another medical team from tion of the shell on the concrete Wakra tunnel and its inter- in the southern area as it will axis of Qatar’s expressway net- A nurse is assigned to re- team has held 24 training QRCS is stationed in the structure required adopting a section that extends from Ras contribute at alleviating traf- work. Several leisure facilities ceive the patients at the en- courses in three languages to conduct precise mechanism for its op- Bu Funtas and Barwa City to- fic problems for the commut- are accessible via Al Wakrah trance of each health center on the basics of personal health screening, vital signs timal lifting and installation. wards the roundabout known ers coming from Al Wakra and main Road including Al wakra as a precautionary meas- hygiene, the use of per- measurement, and taking A metallic base was manufac- as Pearl Roundabout. heading to Doha in the North Old souq, Al Wakra family ure to monitor their body sonal protective equipment samples for further labora- tured for fixing the shells on Ashghal’s construction and to Mesaieed in the south. beach and Al Wakra Celebra- temperature and identify (PPE), the symptoms of tory tests. the structure to ensure accu- works continues for the up- The upgraded road ex- tion Halls. Tamuq to launch Al Maerifa virtual lecture series with talk on road safety in Qatar

Tribune News Network Science, and is co-author of a book, our mission is to create and share Doha Pavement Design and Materials, knowledge, and this includes the which has been adopted for teach- Qatar community that has been Texas A&M University in Qatar ing pavement courses in many uni- so welcoming to us. Technology is (Tamuq) is sharing its knowledge versities around the world. allowing us to continue this valu- and expertise with the local com- The talks in Al Maerifa will be able work and we hope to be able to munity through the new 45-minute presented in English with a simul- offer more online learning for the Al Maerifa virtual seminar series to taneous Arabic translation. The community in the future.” promote awareness on topics based live seminars are designed for the Al Maerifa is not the only foray around Qatar’s great challenges and general, non-technical audience, Texas A&M has made into online research pursuits. and the participants will be invited learning for the Qatar. Around 350 HE Dr Mohammed bin Saleh to ask questions at the end of the grade 7-12 school students from al Sada, former Minister of Energy presentation. Anyone who wants to across Qatar are currently partici- and Industry and chairman of Tex- watch the talk should visit https:/ pating in the online programme as A&M at the Qatar Joint Advisory knowledge.tamu.qa for more infor- IDEA: Invent, Design and Engi- Board, will present the Al Maerifa mation and registration. neer an App STEM science, tech- Seminar Series at 12 pm on Thurs- Organised by Texas A&M at nology, engineering and math) cre- day, April2. Future building construction engineering project concept with double exposure Dr Eyad Masad Qatar’s Office of Engagement, Al ated and provided by Texas A&M Dr Eyad Masad, professor at graphic design Maerifa continues the partner uni- to the STEM experts in Qatar. The Tamuq and Texas A&M’s main Masad is a widely known and versity’s core mission of sharing programme allows students to campus in Texas, will deliver the Design and Safety: Recent Devel- presentation will also cover expect- respected expert in the areas of knowledge with the local commu- explore the fundamentals of first talk on the main factors that opments and Future Directions’, ed changes in traffic characteris- road design and development of nity in Qatar, said Dr. César Oc- programming and mobile app de- influence road safety, including Masad will discuss the outcomes tics, road design, and technologies innovative materials. He is a fel- tavio Malavé, dean of Tamuq. velopment while learning from road design, driver behavior, vehi- of research studies that were per- that could influence and hopefully low of the American Society of Civil “We are living in extraordinary home due to school closures over cle condition and condition of in- formed in Qatar to assess and im- improve road performance and Engineers and the American As- times,” Malavé said, “but our work concerns about the spread of coro- frastructure. During his talk, ‘Road prove road design and safety. The safety. sociation for the Advancement of continues. At Texas A&M at Qatar, navirus COVID-19.