
Qatar to take part in World Health Assembly and associated events
Tribune News Network
Doha
Qatar is set to take part in the meetings of the 78th session of the World Health Assembly, which will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from May 19 to 27, and in several meetings and accompanying events, most notably the meetings of the sixty-second session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Health and its Executive Office on May 18 and 19, and the second strategic dialogue between the State of Qatar and the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 16.
The Qatari delegation to the meetings is headed by Minister of Public Health His Excellency Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al Mahmoud. Qatar will also organise an event alongside the World Health Assembly titled 'Accelerating the Impact of the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021-2030 – Investing in a Continuum of Care and Age-Friendly Environments,' which will be held on 19 May at the United Nations Palace in Geneva, with broad participation from countries and relevant international organisations.
The World Health Assembly meetings this year are held under the theme 'One World for Health' and will address several important issues, including the health situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan.
The meetings will also discuss several critical issues under the four pillars of the WHO, which include ensuring that another billion people benefit from universal health coverage, improving health and well-being for another billion people, protecting another billion people from health emergencies, and enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation in providing better support to countries.
The World Health Assembly is the WHO's decision-making body, with delegations from all member states.
The Qatari delegation will also participate in the Programme, Budget, and Administration Committee meeting of the WHO Executive Board from 14 to 16 May, as well as the 157th session of the Executive Board on 28 and 29 May in Geneva.
The Executive Board's main functions are to implement the policies and decisions of the World Health Assembly, advise it, and facilitate its work.
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Qatar Tribune
2 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Qatari Hajj Mission accompanies country's pilgrims in Muzdalifah and provides comprehensive health, religious care
MAKKAH: In a spiritual and religious atmosphere characterized by precise organization and integrated services, the supporting units of the Qatari Hajj Mission accompanied the pilgrims of the State of Qatar during their departure from Mount Arafat to Muzdalifah on the evening of Thursday, corresponding to the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah 1446 AH, via the Mashair Train. This was in accordance with the approved grouping plan, which was implemented smoothly in record time, providing the pilgrims of the State with safe and comfortable transportation to Muzdalifah, and then performing the remaining Hajj rituals with ease and peace of mind. This step comes as part of the ongoing efforts of the Qatari Hajj Mission, under the guidance of the State of Qatar's wise leadership, to provide a safe and exemplary Hajj experience that accompanies Qatari pilgrims at every location and point throughout the Hajj rituals. Extensive field participation by mission units Muzdalifah witnessed an active field presence from the mission's service and technical units, including: the medical unit, the Sharia unit, the Holy Sites Services unit, the monitoring and inspection unit, and the communication and support unit. These teams worked in complete harmony according to a unified plan, focusing on ensuring the comfort of pilgrims and providing direct logistical, health, and religious support during their stay in the holy site, in preparation for the stoning of the Jamarat al-Aqaba in Mina and the performance of the Tawaf al-Ifadah, which is one of the pillars of Hajj. Immediate medical care and field response The Qatari Hajj Mission's medical unit played a prominent role in providing medical support to the country's pilgrims in Muzdalifah. The unit deployed dismounted field medical teams to be present among the pilgrims, along with female medical and nursing staff to attend to the needs of the pilgrims and ensure their safety. A small field medical unit has also been established in Muzdalifah, equipped with all necessary equipment, medications, and supplies to receive emergency and critical cases. A mobile clinic is also equipped with the necessary medications, advanced medical equipment such as respirators, and a number of medical personnel in various specialties. In this context, Dr Mohammed Abu Khattab, Senior Consultant of Internal and Infectious Diseases and Member of the Medical Services Unit, explained that the mission was keen to send medical teams to accompany the pilgrims in Muzdalifah, with the presence of a paramedic equipped with the innovative rescue jacket (HT RESCUE JACKET), which is a miniature model of a portable ambulance, containing all the necessary equipment for rapid intervention in emergency cases, and which has won the admiration and approval of the responsible authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Last year, the medical unit was honoured for its initiative to include the rescue jacket in its work as an exclusive idea for the Qatari Hajj mission. Sharia Unit: Spiritual support and guidance on the correct rituals On the religious level, the Sharia Unit of the Qatari Hajj Mission played a vital role in accompanying pilgrims by providing fatwas and religious guidance, and by fostering reassurance within their hearts. Sheikh Dr Muhammad Mahmoud Al-Mahmoud, Head of the Sharia Unit, explained that the presence of Sharia Unit members with pilgrims in Muzdalifah aims to provide moral support and ensure that the rituals are performed in the correct Sharia manner. He added: 'We accompany the pilgrims from sunset on the Day of Arafah, guiding them to revive the sacred feelings in Muzdalifah with remembrance and supplication, and to prepare for the Day of Sacrifice in a manner befitting these great days.' For his part, Sheikh Fahd Al Mohammad, a member of the unit, emphasized the importance of embracing the spirituality of the ritual, saying: 'Rituals are not just movements, but rather a visit to God Almighty, and a remembrance of the greatness of the Prophet Abraham, peace be upon him, as he threw the pebbles at the Jamarat. Hajj is a scene of faith in which spiritual meanings are manifested in their most sublime forms.' Communication and Support Unit: Immediate response and comprehensive field coordination Continuing its daily efforts, the Communications and Support Unit continued its work around the clock, receiving reports and inquiries from pilgrims and coordinating directly with various units to ensure an immediate response to any emergency. The unit's field support teams were deployed around the camps and holy sites to monitor medical or logistical emergencies and respond quickly to them by accurately identifying their locations and directing pilgrims to appropriate assistance. The unit also provided a free calling service via the number (132) from within the State of Qatar, and (8003040444) from within the Kingdom for holders of a Qatari or Saudi line, in addition to guidance services and emergency reports via the 'Hajj Guide' application, which represents a modern digital platform that facilitates movement, interaction and instant guidance for the Qatari pilgrim. High-end field services from the Holy Sites Services Unit In the same context, the Holy Sites Services Unit has completed the preparation and equipment of the Qatari pilgrims' camps in Muzdalifah. The camp has been furnished with carpets and multi-purpose chairs that convert into beds depending on the pilgrim's needs. Fans equipped with mist are also available to provide a pleasant atmosphere. Complete meals and cold drinks are also available to all pilgrims. The unit emphasized that all these services aim to provide a calm and safe environment for the country's pilgrims during their stay in Muzdalifah, in preparation for completing their rituals, starting with the stoning of the Great Jamarat, the Tawaf al-Ifadah, and then returning to Mina to spend the Days of Tashreeq. For their part, a number of Qatari pilgrims from various Hajj campaigns expressed their great satisfaction with the services provided by the Qatari Hajj Mission in Muzdalifah, noting the availability of religious guidance, healthcare, food, restrooms, and ongoing administrative supervision. They praised the mission's efforts from the moment they arrived at Jeddah Airport until their transfer between the holy sites. They also noted the quality of the camps, especially in Arafat, which has witnessed comprehensive development this year. They also emphasized that the level of field organization in Muzdalifah was top-notch. Pilgrims also commended the Qatari Hajj Mission's fruitful cooperation with the relevant authorities in the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which, through the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and all relevant agencies, provided all necessary security and service facilities, enabling pilgrims to perform the rituals smoothly and safely. The Qatari Hajj Mission affirms that the success achieved in transporting pilgrims from their residences in Makkah Al-Mukarramah to Mina and Arafat, then to Muzdalifah, and following up on their journey on the ground, is part of a comprehensive plan developed by the Qatari Hajj Mission, with close follow-up from the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and Head of the Qatari Mission. The efforts of all supporting units are integrated to provide the best possible Hajj experience for Qatari pilgrims. The Qatari mission will continue to perform its duties until the end of the Hajj rituals, passing through the days of Tashreeq in Mina, and until the pilgrims perform the farewell Tawaf and return to their homeland safely, after having performed the fifth pillar of Islam in an easy and faithful atmosphere.


Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Al Jazeera
What is driving a surge in COVID cases in India, other countries?
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