Doha, November 15 (QNA) - HE Minister of Public Health Dr. Hanan Mohammed Al Kuwari said that the National Health Incident Command Center (NHICC) is a core component of the healthcare sector's extensive FIFA World Cup service provision and stands ready to lead the coordination of the healthcare system's response at any time in the event of a major incident.

"Over the coming weeks, almost every part of our healthcare system will have a role to play in helping us achieve our goal of providing a comprehensive range of medical and support services across approximately 100 FIFA World Cup competition and non-competition sites. It has taken a truly incredible effort from healthcare teams across the healthcare sector to get us to this stage; with all our plans on track ahead of the tournament start, and I am confident we are ready to support a safe and healthy FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022," added HE Dr. Al Kuwari.

Located at Hamad Medical Corporation's Ambulance Service headquarters, the NHICC was established in 2020 to lead the coordination of the healthcare system's response at any time in the event of a major incident. The NHICC coordinates operations of key healthcare providers in Qatar, including HMC, Primary Health Care Corporation and Sidra Medicine.

Staffed and operational 24/7, the NHICC has supported healthcare efforts at recent major sporting events including the Qatar Grand Prix and FIFA Arab Cup, both held in Qatar in 2021. The NHICC will be placed in a heighted state of readiness for the duration of the world cup to ensure we are in the best possible position to respond to any incident that might occur.

Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the Workforce Hub facilitates the documentation of all staff time and attendance records, daily staff briefings, and collection of FIFA accreditation passes, among other tasks, while providing the central location from which clinical staff will be transported to a range of competition and non-competition sites each day. (QNA)