##Press Release## QRCS intensifies medical services against Coronavirus

March 31st, 2020 ― : As the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) broke out, the Medical Affairs Division of Red Crescent Society (QRCS) intensified its efforts to respond to the emergency and deal with its community impact. All the medical professionals and technical resources have been mobilized. In partnership with health authorities and institutions, QRCS works under the umbrella of the Supreme Committee for Crisis Management, the supervisory body managing all related medical and volunteering activities. QRCS created an operations room to collect timely information and post public awareness messages online and via social media. Diverse written and audiovisual messages are posted by QRCS in the six languages of major communities in Qatar. As the only service of its kind, sign language is used in several messages addressed to persons with special needs. Under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the four Workers’ Health Centers managed by QRCS have so far provided medical services for 57,700 visitors. These are located in Mesaimeer, New , Fereej Abdul-Aziz, and Zekreet. The centers work normally 24/7 through the following clinics: GP, ENT, cardiology, dentistry, pulmonology, ophthalmology, dermatology, urgent cases, laboratory, X-ray, and pharmacy.

As a precautionary measure, a nurse is assigned to receive the visitors at the entrance of each health center to check their body temperature and identify suspicious cases. Multilingual health education is given to the visitors at waiting areas, both by the medical staff and on public screens. Currently, QRCS has 623 medical professionals in duty, including physicians, first responders, nurses, technicians, trainers, and health educators. The emergency ambulance service is put on standby, to be deployed immediately once directions are issued by MoPH. QRCS has 50 highly-equipped and sanitized ambulance vehicles, run by well- trained paramedics licensed by Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners (QCHP). Over the past few weeks, QRCS’s health education team held 24 training courses in three languages on the basics of personal hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), Coronavirus disease symptoms, and how to contact the competent organizations to report a case. In addition, a series of online training courses were held for 10,000 persons from 15 organizations, such as Qatar Post, Hamad International Airport (HIA), Hamad Port, Al-Ruwais Port, United Development Co. (UDC), and private companies. QRCS and MoPH work together to provide medical services at the two quarantine facilities in Mukaynis, as well as 28 other quarantine locations, including Hazm and Umm Qarn. Work is going on 24/7 to offer nine medical services, including reception, examinations, and referrals. In cooperation with MoPH and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), a medical team is conducting health screening in many areas, companies, and organizations sch as Nakilat and Qatar Cultural and Heritage Events

Center (QCHEC). They also provide health education and awareness for the public. Another medical team from QRCS is stationed in the Industrial Area to conduct health screening, vital signs measurement, and taking samples for further laboratory tests. ##End of Text##

About Qatar Red Crescent (QRCS) Established in 1978, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is a humanitarian volunteering organization that aims to assist and empower vulnerable individuals and communities without partiality or discrimination. QRCS is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which consists of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and 191 National Societies. QRCS is also a member of several GCC, Arab, and Islamic organizations, such as the Islamic Committee of International Crescent and the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Organization (ARCO). In this legally recognized capacity, QRCS has access to disaster and conflict zones, thus serving as an auxiliary to the State of Qatar in its humanitarian efforts — a role that distinguishes it from other local charities and NGOs. QRCS operates both locally and internationally and has ongoing international relief and development projects in a number of countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe. QRCS's humanitarian actions include providing support in disaster preparedness, disaster response, risk reduction, and disaster recovery. To mitigate the impact of disasters and improve the livelihoods of affected populations, QRCS provides medical services, healthcare, and social development to local communities. It is also active at the humanitarian advocacy front. With the help of a vast network of trained, committed staff and volunteers, QRCS aspires to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. QRCS works under the umbrella of the seven international humanitarian principles: Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.