The National Public Health Strategy 2017-2022 will be launched this month, disclosed a top official of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) on Friday.
“We expect it to be launched on the 19th of this month,” said Dr. Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad al-Thani, director of Public Health, on the sidelines of the workers’ health camp held at the Medical Commission.
“The new strategy, which will also support occupational health, aims at lowering accidents by 3% every year for the next six years. This will significantly ensure the safety of the workers at the workplaces,” he explained.
“There has been a dramatic reduction in falls from heights in the recent years on account of the safety measures we have adopted," Dr Sheikh Mohamed said.
The MoPH official also pointed out that the road traffic accidents went down by 30% last year. This year the preliminary reports so far suggest that the road traffic accidents have gone down by another 30%.
"In the last three years, the numbers have gone down so significantly that we have got the best figures in the world in accident containment. In case of road traffic accidents reduction, Qatar has better statistics than the US per car.”
Dr Sheikh Mohamed expects that three hospitals for workers will be open in less than 18 months. "However, the timing largely depends on Ashghal and other stakeholders in completing the works and delivering them. We hope that by the end of 2017 all the three will be operational at three different locations around the country and this will enable the workers to reach any of the hospitals in less than 20 minutes.”
Sheikh Mohamed hoped that all the companies will strictly implement the midday ban on outdoor work which will be in force from June 15 to August 31.
No labourer should work more than five hours outdoors in the mornings during this period, according to a ministerial decree issued in 2007. Further, no outside work can be done from 11.30am to 3pm during the period.
“We trust the companies and expect them to follow the directives in its true spirit. If any companies do not follow the restrictions, we will fine them and warn them. The officials concerned will deal with such companies very sternly.”
Dr Sheikh Mohamed also emphasised that the government efforts have improved the standards of accommodation for the workers. “The housing facilities have become better. More awareness is adding value as several embassies are actively involved in awareness programmes. The ministry officials are inspecting the premises periodically to ensure the well being of the workers,” he added.