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Tribune News Network
Doha
The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has temporarily stopped the COVID-19 PCR swabs for people travelling abroad.
Travellers, however, can continue to get the tests done at private sector facilities, it added.
In a tweet, the Ministry of Public Health has said the suspension of the service is a temporary measure. The decision is effective from Sunday.
“Our healthcare teams are working hard to administer COVID-19 vaccines in all 27 primary health centers as well as the Qatar National Convention Center, seven days a week. Additionally, PHCC staff are providing COVID-19 track and trace services, swabs for suspected cases, close contacts, and anyone showing signs and symptoms of the virus,” explained Dr Samya Al Abdulla, Executive Director of Operations at PHCC.
“With the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Qatar, our healthcare staff are under enormous pressure. The decision to temporary stop providing PCR swabs for people travelling abroad in primary health centers has been made to ensure we prioritize our resources on providing services for people with COVID-19 and for those being vaccinated as well as continue to provide essential primary care services and walk in urgent care in our health centres,”said Dr Al Abdulla.
“Accordingly, the provision of COVID-19 PCR swabs for people travelling abroad is being transferred to the private healthcare sector except for Qatari nationals who are traveling abroad for essential medical treatment and Qatari students who are studying abroad. When the second wave gets over and pressure is eased on our healthcare teams, we will recommence this important service at our health centers,” Dr. Al Abdulla added.
Last week, the Cabinet announced a decision to stop all non-emergency services at private healthcare facilities from April 1 as part of the COVID-19 response.
The decision will provide a boost to the public healthcare sector as private healthcare staff will be freed up from their normal roles and redeployed into COVID-19 support roles within HMC and Primary Health Care Corporation.
Doha
The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has temporarily stopped the COVID-19 PCR swabs for people travelling abroad.
Travellers, however, can continue to get the tests done at private sector facilities, it added.
In a tweet, the Ministry of Public Health has said the suspension of the service is a temporary measure. The decision is effective from Sunday.
“Our healthcare teams are working hard to administer COVID-19 vaccines in all 27 primary health centers as well as the Qatar National Convention Center, seven days a week. Additionally, PHCC staff are providing COVID-19 track and trace services, swabs for suspected cases, close contacts, and anyone showing signs and symptoms of the virus,” explained Dr Samya Al Abdulla, Executive Director of Operations at PHCC.
“With the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Qatar, our healthcare staff are under enormous pressure. The decision to temporary stop providing PCR swabs for people travelling abroad in primary health centers has been made to ensure we prioritize our resources on providing services for people with COVID-19 and for those being vaccinated as well as continue to provide essential primary care services and walk in urgent care in our health centres,”said Dr Al Abdulla.
“Accordingly, the provision of COVID-19 PCR swabs for people travelling abroad is being transferred to the private healthcare sector except for Qatari nationals who are traveling abroad for essential medical treatment and Qatari students who are studying abroad. When the second wave gets over and pressure is eased on our healthcare teams, we will recommence this important service at our health centers,” Dr. Al Abdulla added.
Last week, the Cabinet announced a decision to stop all non-emergency services at private healthcare facilities from April 1 as part of the COVID-19 response.
The decision will provide a boost to the public healthcare sector as private healthcare staff will be freed up from their normal roles and redeployed into COVID-19 support roles within HMC and Primary Health Care Corporation.
