After providing high-quality medical care to large numbers of COVID-19 patients throughout the second wave of the virus in Qatar, Mesaieed Hospital has discharged its final COVID-19 patients and commenced normal outpatient services.

Mesaieed Hospital was one of seven Hamad Medical Corporation facilities dedicated to caring for patients with COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. In the last six weeks, four of these facilities Surgical Specialty Center, Ras Laffan Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital and Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital have all recommenced delivery of normal services following their designation as COVID-19 facilities.

With the number of COVID-19 cases declining consistently over the past few months there is now significantly less demand for hospital care as a result of the virus.

At the peak of the second wave there were more than 2,000 patients admitted to hospital with moderate or severe COVID-19 symptoms. Thanks to the combined efforts of the government and the community to suppress the spread of the virus, there are currently fewer than 160 COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital.

Throughout both waves of the virus Mesaieed Hospital and its dedicated staff have played a vital role in ensuring the healthcare sector has sufficient capacity to care for every COVID-19 patient in need of treatment.

HMC's Acting Assistant Managing Director and Chief of Tertiary Hospitals Group Ali Al Janahi explained how the hospital expanded its original capacity to support the high demand for hospital care. "Before the first wave of COVID-19, Mesaieed Hospital had a capacity of 120 acute care beds, yet thanks to the efforts of our planning and facility teams the hospital capacity was dramatically expanded to provide 610 acute beds and 45 intensive care beds using every available space.

"Expanding the hospital to this scale is testament to the commitment and expertise of our healthcare teams and enabled Mesaieed Hospital to provide care to large numbers of male and female patients throughout both waves, including specialist mental health services for those patients who required psychological support," added Al Janahi.

With the final COVID-19 patients discharged, Mesaieed Hospital is now preparing to recommence normal outpatient services, as Acting Medical Director of Mesaieed Hospital Dr. Ihab El Madhoun explained: "I am proud to have been part of this remarkable team of healthcare professionals at Mesaieed Hospital throughout our role as a COVID-19 facility. Around 900 healthcare staff, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, engineers, and hospitality and administration staff have worked together towards a common goal of delivering the highest-quality care to patients with COVID-19. Soon, Mesaieed Hospital will switch its focus and reopen outpatient services to support Al Wakra Hospital in delivering a range of clinics for people in Mesaieed, Al Wakra and the surrounding areas."

(QNA)