Qatar assures safe maternal, newborn care: Unicef data

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) In Qatar, child births are attended by 100% skilled health personnel, which are crucial in reducing maternal and child deaths, according to recent data released by the Unicef. 

According to data since 2012, all deliveries were attended by skilled health personnel in the country. 

The proportion of births attended by skilled personnel– is above 90% in three of the six World Health Organisation (WHO) regions.

It is significant as Qatar marks the 7th Qatar Patient Safety Week to coincide with the World Patient Safety Day under the theme of Safe Maternal and Newborn Care. 

In a statement the Minister of Public Health H E Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari said:“This year's theme of Safe Maternal and Newborn Care is one of our priorities in the National Health Strategy 2018-2022 in Qatar, where we have identified 'healthy women leading to healthy pregnancies' as one of the seven priority population groups within the strategy that is being implemented across the health sector. 

These plans are carefully designed to ensure that the existing services and resources are aligned, and that new services and resources are developed when needed, to best meet the needs of mothers and newborns.”

She stressed the importance of raising awareness by all stakeholders on maternal and newborn safety issues, to help ensure safe and high-quality care for mothers and newborns.

Also the Ministry organised a virtual conference on 'Safe Care for the Mother and Newborn Care,' which concluded yesterday.   The conference discussed several topics related to key aspects of quality and safety during pregnancy and childbirth. 

“Almost two years have passed since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, which has been a challenging time for healthcare systems and has delayed the delivery of some basic health services in general in many health care systems around the world, particularly health services for women and newborns,” said Huda Amer Al Katheeri, Director of the Strategic Planning and Performance Department at the Ministry.  

Dr. Najat Khenyab, National Lead for healthy women leading to healthy pregnancies, said:“Comprehensive plans have been developed to improve services for women and children in the country. The strategy aims to improve the ability to monitor the causes of obstetric complications, provide national protocols and guidance on maternity care, including infertility and caesarean section, provide midwifery care services and integrated maternity services at various stages of pregnancy, childbirth and after birth.”

The Ministry launched a virtual campaign aimed at raising awareness among health care providers and the public using various media platforms.  A survey was conducted on the level of satisfaction of the public on the virtual health services provided in Qatar during Covid-19 pandemic, in collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health and the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH).

Many cultural landmarks and public places in the country were illuminated in orange colour on September 17 as the colour symbolises the central role of patient safety in the countries' efforts to achieve universal health coverage and maternity and neonatal safety.

Qatar's Patient Safety Week is a national initiative launched by the Ministry to raise awareness and spread patient safety concepts among all healthcare providers as well as the public in Qatar.  
 

MENAFN24092021000063011010ID1102857204