MoPH webinar focuses on workers' health, safety

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), in line with its National Health Strategy 2018-2022 and "Healthy and Safe Employees" priority population, organized a webinar to mark World Day for Health & Safety at Work. The theme of the webinar was "Forecast, prepare and respond to crises-Invest Now in resilient Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Systems". The event aims to shed light on the health and safety of workers in Qatar during the Covid-19 crisis. At the opening of the seminar, Dr. Asma Al Nuaimi, the Lead for NHS priority population "Health and Safety Workers", stressed the importance of discussing aspects of occupational safety and health during the (Covid-19) crisis, noting that the healthy and safe employees is an important basis for ensuring community productivity and economic development. "We should ensure that we are providing workers with the services they need to maintain their physical and mental health and wellbeing during this difficult time." She explained. Dr. Asma al Nuaimi took the audience through two other important topics which are Primary Health Corporation's clinical research on Covid-19 incidence at workplaces in Qatar and the initiative related to the implementation of a centralized Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Database within the National Health Strategy's priority population "Health and Safety Workers". "Ensuring Occupational Safety and Health in every workplace during an emergency crisis is high priority for the State of Qatar. I believe, there is a need for more accurate and robust data collection, and data sharing for OSH that can help health policymakers develop public health response during emergency crises. We have to continue to work together for Occupational Safety and Health to contribute to the wellbeing of workers in Qatar," said Dr. Asma. Dr. Mohamed Al Hajjaj, Head of Occupational Unit at the MoPH informed the audience about the achievements of the Ministry during the Covid crisis in the OSH field. Dr. Mariam Al Muslemani, PHCC's OSH Director gave a presentation on the role of an OSH Department in healthcare facility settings. Dr. Soha Al Bayat, Head of Vaccination at the MoPH gave a briefing about the National Contact Tracing Strategy and its role in managing the outbreak in the State of Qatar. Dr. Mohamed Noor, MoPH Public Health Specialist, explained the Covid-19 outbreak management in the industrial area in Qatar. Jaber Al Marri, Occupational Health Specialist at the Ministry of Administrative Development Labour and Social Affairs spoke about the health and safety measures adopted by the Ministry to control the spread of the virus through employers and workers in Qatar. Mohamed Al Maraghi, Director of Health and safety at the Ministry of Education presented the crucial role of the ministry in protecting its staff, education sector and students against Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Yuka Ujita from the International Labor Organization (ILO) provide an interesting insight on the importance of OSH management system to promote health and safety of all workers. Iain Tulley, the Lead for NHS priority population "Mental health and well-being" highlighted the importance of mental health at the workplace and the services available across the healthcare sector to support any individual in need. This year, the celebration of World Occupational Safety and Health Day focused on systems' approach to workplace accident prevention and occupational safety and health management through the use of a logical and effective method to promote permanent improvement in occupational health and safety performance.