Minister of Public Health highlights role of women in Qatar in combatting coronavirus

QNADohaMinister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan Mohammed al Kuwari highlighted the important role played by the women in the State of Qatar in combating the coronavirus (COVID-19), noting that women constitute a high percentage of the health cadres working in the front lines in the fight against the coronavirus and protecting the society.This came during the minister's participation as a key speaker in the virtual high-level meeting "The Impact Women Leaders Are Having in the Fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic". The meeting was organized by the State of Qatar represented by the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations in New York, along with Costa Rica, Italy, Kenya, Lebanon, Nigeria, Sweden and the African Union.The meeting was opened by HE UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed with the participation of HE Qatar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani and a large number of women leaders in various sectors such as public health, social services and foreign affairs from countries across the world.The meeting discussed the impact of the pandemic on women and girls, and a variety of risk factors that must be addressed urgently.HE Minister of Public Health Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari highlighted the efforts exerted by the State of Qatar to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and curb its spread, through a comprehensive approach characterized by coordinated efforts between various sectors in the State, and according to a national response action plan that was prepared to protect members of society as a whole, taking into account the special needs of women in the State of Qatar.HE the Minister of Health stressed the importance of the international cooperation and the exchange of experiences in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in order to control it and curb its spread, noting that the State of Qatar, under the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, has been working on promoting the international cooperation and the humanitarian solidarity to combat the pandemic and enhance the rapid response to the its repercussions. The State of Qatar provided medical assistance to more than 20 countries, in addition to financial contributions of USD 140 million to multilateral health care institutions working in vaccine development. The State was also keen on ensuring the efficiency of health care, especially in the least developed countries. On Friday, HH the Amir announced at the World Vaccine Summit 2020 a new pledge by the State of Qatar to provide USD 20 million to the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi).HE the Minister also underlined the significant role carried out by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser at the local and international levels, noting that HH Sheikha Moza has joint the global initiative "Rise for All" which includes a group of women leaders, launched in support of the UN Secretary-General's call for solidarity and collective action to address the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.The high-level meeting aimed to exchange good practices, and discuss the challenges that must be addressed to combat the pandemic and the common solutions to this global problem from the perspective of women in leadership.The meeting touched on a number of issues, most importantly increasing the role of women in global health, the overall impact of the COVID-19 on women, the benefit of health policies and programs designed and implemented by women leaders, the global cooperation and solidarity to combat the pandemic, ensuring that women and girls are at the heart of the socioeconomic response efforts, and the social protection efforts to recover from COVID-19 by ensuring the economic stimulus that is targeted at women specifically.The meeting also discussed the implications of COVID-19 on the mental health of women and girls, and ways to ensure that all political responses to the crisis take into account the unique needs, responsibilities and perspectives of women.Women working in the health sector constitute 67 percent of the workforce in the health sector, according to a study conducted by the World Health Organization in 104 countries.