02 Sunday, May 17, 2020

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Venezuela ambassador lauds Qatar’s humanitarian support A peek into self-isolation of to countries amid coronavirus HMC’s frontliner’s personal Ashraf Siddiqui est success to Qatar in this doha fight against the global pan- demic, and we reiterate our Venezuela’s Ambassador willingness to work together experience amid COVID-19 to Qatar HE Giuseppe Ángelo with the country in this fight. Yoffreda Yorio has praised The pandemic calls for soli- the humanitarian support darity, cooperation and mul- It is not an easy decision but it is not difficult to reach my goal: Mutawa extended by Qatar to differ- tilateralism, and not block- ent countries in terms of aid ades and sanctions.” and donations in the time of According to the ambas- CATHERINE W GICHUKI From March 16, I decided cable Disease Centre’s recom- COVID-19 pandemic. The sador, Qatar-Venezuela rela- DOHA to have home isolation mendations such as staying ambassador has also lauded tions are very friendly. “What and I separated myself at a safe distance from family Qatar’s leading role in re- we like about Qatar is that it As Qatar continues its ef- members after returning from patriation of thousands of does not discriminate among forts to contain the spread of from my family for their work. people stranded in different residents, and has no preju- the coronavirus, a frontline own good. I use a private “As healthcare providers, parts of the world. dices on the basis of nation- healthcare worker has shared room and bathroom. I also we are so careful not to expose Talking to Qatar Tribune, ality,” he said. her experience while serving use paper and plastic con- our families to this disease. the envoy said, “Qatar has Ambassador of Venezuela to Ambassador Yorio urged the community during this tainers for food Therefore, we are maintain- behaved in an ideal way that Qatar HE Giuseppe Angelo the Venezuelan community time. ing all infection control rec- is expected of governments Yoffreda Yorio in Qatar, and expatriates in Hamad Medical Corpora- healthcare workers also need ommendation and practices at the time of a pandemic. general, to “follow the meas- tion (HMC) Executive Direc- psychological support and she such as wearing a mask, hand Unlike countries that are ex- the country and all its resi- ures and recommendations tor of Nursing at Rumailah was so grateful that they get hygiene, coughing etiquette, ploiting the pandemic to ad- dents. issued by the Qatari authori- Nursing Administration, Mar- Mariam Nooh al Mutawa it from their families as well social distancing, no visiting vance their selfish political He said, “Qatar has spared ties to fight the pandemic”. iam Nooh al Mutawa, said that as their co-workers. In coor- or social gatherings, disinfect- and economic interests, Qa- no effort in strengthening its Responding to a query, considering the high chances adding that her clothes are dination with Primary Health ing any shop items and stay- tar’s actions have been based health system and expanding the ambassador said he of getting infected, she decid- also washed separately and Care Corporation and Qatar ing at home. We also educate on the principles of solidarity its capabilities to overcome and his family members are ed to isolate herself at home to she doesn’t share her car with Red Crescent, the government our families and friends about and cooperation.” the challenges presented by strictly following the direc- protect her family. anyone. has provided them with all the new guidelines or information Yorio also praised the COVID-19, while providing tions issued by the local Qa- “From March 16, I decided “It’s not an easy decision support they needed, includ- to help in overcoming this dis- measures undertaken by the valuable assistance to other tari authorities by avoiding to have home isolation and but it’s not difficult to reach ing the national awareness ease,” she said. Qatar Government to com- affected countries and keep- meetings in person, carrying I separated myself from my my goal as this is to maintain and availability of screening in Giving advice to the com- bat COVID-19 under the wise ing the national economy on out official responsibilities family for their own good. I use my family’s safety, including different healthcare facilities. munity, Mutawa said, “Please leadership of the Amir His the right track.” online, spending time with a private room and bathroom. my husband, his elderly moth- She added that they were help us; please protect us; we Highness Sheikh Tamim bin The envoy added: “We family and doing physical ex- I also use paper and plastic er and my children,” she said. also following the Ministry of stay at work for you; please Hamad al Thani to protect Venezuelans wish the great- ercises. containers for food,” she said, Mutawa said frontline Public Health and Communi- stay home for us.”

‘Establishment of telemedicine HBKU Press tips to promote gratitude, faith via literacy facilities proves successful’ Tribune News Network solitude and confinement, without the which to break my fast at iftar time”. Continued from page 1  for vulnerable older people we Doha outside noise of life’s many distractions, You could even turn this habit into a tool have therefore set up a call cen- find comfort and solace in reading from for helping others: look to publish your “The COVID-19 symptoms can tre staffed with geriatricians During the Holy Month of Ramadan, the holy book. This is the time when thoughts on a blog, social media, or even include high fever, persistent and nurses. To date we have Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press Muslims worldwide commit to a deep- submit them to be published in a book. dry cough, aches and pains, made around 20,000 calls have (HBKU Press) is highlighting how lit- er understanding of their faith and to Transcribe oral histories and extreme fatigue. These can been made by HMC and PHCC eracy can be used to promote gratitude, strengthening their knowledge of Islam. A wonderful way for anyone to feel be challenging for anyone, but staff, ranging from dispens- faith and personal connections – a chal- For non-Muslims, we would like to connected to their family and their faith often more so as we get older ing medical advice, arranging a lenging feat as people in confinement suggest using this time to expand your is to take a moment to speak to their and our resilience to deal with special home visit to medication at home due to COVID 19 are unable to knowledge about Islam as a faith or to elders. Grandparents, great aunts and the symptoms of an infection prescription. And sometimes participate in the communal faith-based reading about the many different his- uncles, or even older siblings can offer weakens. The problems are ex- our teams merely provide psy- activities normally practised throughout torical Muslim figures who have con- great new perspectives about their own acerbated when people have chosocial support just a call to the month. tributed to society over the centuries. realities in contrast to ours. Their ex- additional chronic health con- check up on an individual to see “For the majority of the population, From the fields of science, technology, periences can teach us so many things: dition, such as diabetes, heart how they are feeling can provide this may be the first time in our lifetime medicine, sports and the arts, there are they can explore forgotten values and and kidney disease or similar, a powerful boost to their overall that we cannot observe the traditions of many inspiring books that highlight the possibly give meaning to our own exist- many of which become more wellbeing,” added Dr Hanadi. the holy month as we normally do – to- innovations of Muslims from around the ence. Take the time to talk to someone prevalent with increasing age,” While virtual consultation gether in prayer in mosques and with our world. from a different generation, and actually said Dr Hanadi. has become increasingly im- extended families,” explains Amr Abdel- Share your new knowledge transcribe their story. You never know if The pandemic has necessi- portant, there are times when monem, editor at HBKU Press. “But it Keeping connections with family you learned in your readings to real life. it will inspire a great novel or children’s tated a change in the way many a physical consultation is es- doesn’t mean we can’t observe the holy and friends is key in the time of social Keep a gratitude journal book, or simply become a wonderful healthcare services are deliv- sential and Home Health Care month in different ways and explore distancing. Share your newly acquired During your fast, get into the habit book of recollections that you can pass ered to people, especially older service teams from HMC and ways to strengthen our faith despite the knowledge with other bibliophiles by of keeping a gratitude journal detail- down from one generation of your fam- citizens. This includes limiting PHCC continue to make house challenges presented at these times. creating a book club – over the inter- ing everything that you are grateful for. ily to the next. face-to-face exposure to reduce calls in urgent cases. “Using reading and writing as a net/phone. Keep in the theme for the Change negative thoughts into positive “HBKU Press has extended our the risk of infection. Over 12,000 visits have means to an end, we want people to see holy month and see how many new reflections. “I’m stuck at home alone”, global call for submissions for any lit- The establishment of tel- been conducted over the past that there are many ways they can en- facts and perspectives about Islam/Is- becomes “I’m safe at home, and my erary and/or artistic works inspired by emedicine facilities for a variety few months to provide neces- courage their faith and enrich their ex- lamic figures you can discover with your friends are family are safer when they life in confinement until May 20 and of specialties has proven very sary services such as adminis- perience this Ramadan.” friends. Be sure to explore the relevance are not with me”. “I’m so bored” can be we hope that this extension will allow successful. Over the past few tering insulin injections, dress- Read about Islam from various of themes and individuals based on changed into “I now have the time to pri- for people observing Ramadan to sub- months, more than 1,000 vir- ing wounds or checking vital perspectives what they teach you about your faith. It oritise what is important to me.” Turn mit their work that reflects the spirit tual consultations have been de- signs. Another outcome from If you are Muslim, the obvious can also be helpful to discuss scenarios “I’m hungry, fasting at home is so diffi- of the holy month as well,” said Abdel- livered to 60-plus people from the pandemic has been a reduc- choice for reading is the Holy Qur’an. In where you might be able to apply what cult,” into “I’m lucky to have food with monem. medical consultation to provid- tion in requests for older people ing physiotherapy advice. to see a specialist for an ailment. Recognising the importance A number of older people, for people with chronic condi- or their families, are fearful tions to continue taking their of going outside at this time, Ashghal opens part of intersection, service road on Huwar Street medications, the government stopping them from seeing a has supported the programme doctor then they need to see Tribune News Network is scheduled to be completed the 2022 World Cup stadiums. for delivery of medicines to peo- one; and this can lead to some Doha within the year. Road users coming from Al ple at their homes. minor ailments deteriorating He pointed out that most Furousiya Street in the direc- More than 14,500 medica- over time and potentially be- The Public Works Authority parts of the project have been tion of Doha or will be tion orders have been dispensed coming acute health problems (Ashghal) has partially opened opened to traffic, which con- able to use the exit leading to by HMC and PHCC pharmacy needing emergency care. A a new intersection and service tributed to improving the the Tilted Intersection and will teams to ensure patients have specialised Elderly Day Care road on Huwar Street as part of traffic in the area, since the also be able to make a U-turn or the medicines they need. Unit has recently been estab- Khalifa Avenue project. project connects turn left at the new intersection The recently established tel- lished in Rumailah Hospital, The new intersection will road with Dukhan road, as to reach Gate ephone outreach service for the designed to provide non-life- provide new entrances to Hu- well as Street, No 5. elderly has provided another threatening or emergency care war Street with Al Furousiya Huwar Street and Al Furo- As for road users coming important channel to connect in a more age-friendly envi- Street and Street along usiya Street, while serving Al from the Titled Intersection, with older patients more at risk. ronment where the teams can with new connection to Al Luq- Rayyan, , Al Ghar- they will be able to use the exit Staffed by members from abide by safety regulation con- ta Area and Qatar Foundation, rafa, Al Luqta and Gharrafat to go to Al Furousiya Street, the Geriatric and Long-term cerning distancing. in coordination with the Gen- Al Rayyan areas. make a U-Turn or turn right to- Care Department, the team “In order to reduce the dan- eral Directorate of Traffic. Eng Qassim said Ashghal is wards Qatar Foundation Gate proactively call those aged 60 ger of having a relatively minor Engineer Abdullah Qasim currently working to complete No 5. years and over to offer advice condition or issue deteriorate from the Highway Project De- Khalifa Avenue project, which With the opening of the and support on how to stay safe and become more serious, the partment said the new signal- to Al Luqta area from one side area. is one of the main new arteries intersection and service road, during this period. Elderly Day Care Unit delivers controlled intersection will be and Qatar Foundation from the He said Ashghal has also that will serve the east and west the entry and exit from Qatar “We recognise that loneli- important yet routine medical opened partially alongside the other side and they will link Al accomplished about 95 percent of the country and link them Foundation’s Gate No 5 and ness from social isolation can interventions in order to man- service road on Huwar Street Furousiya Street and Al Luqta of the works on Khalifa Avenue to central Doha, as well as the Al Diyaa Street will also be sometimes be as difficult to bear age them before they become to provide entrances and exits Street all the way to Al Gharrafa project, adding that the project Stadium, one of available. as any other illness, especially acute.