With a change in the weather conditions, the Paediatric Emergency in Al Sadd has been flooded with cases of seasonal ailments.
The centre is currently getting an average of 1,500 visitors daily and a huge majority of them suffer from ailments related to a shift in the weather conditions, according to its director Dr Khalid Al Ansari.
He said the high number of non-emergency visits had been putting unnecessary pressure on the facility, since a good number of the cases could be treated in a primary health centres.
“With the beginning of winter, we see a sudden rise in seasonal diseases ranging from common cough and cold, flu to respiratory problems. About one-third of the cases reported at the centre are not emergency in nature.
Even for minor ailments, families rush to the centre due to extreme concern about the safety of their children and the high reputation of our services. Our repeated requests have not made any difference in the situation. In fact it has become worse,” lamented Al Ansari.
During Eid Al Adha holidays, the centre received 1,500 to 1,600 visitors daily.
Apart from seasonal diseases, stomach-related ailments resulting from high consumption of sweets and pastries had also been reported during the holidays. Despite the high number of non-emergency visits, the centre does not deny treatment to any patient seeking its service, said the official.
“We triage patients based on the nature of the disease. Emergency cases would not have to wait more than 20 to 30 minutes to see a doctor.
However, those who come with minor ailments would be forced to wait longer, sometimes for hours, while giving priority to more urgent cases,” said Al Ansari.
He said opening of satellite paediatric emergency centres in locations outside Doha had helped reduce the rush at the Al Sadd facility to some extent.
“When we opened the Al Rayyan centre, we noticed a fall in the number of visitors at the Al Sadd centre. We expect a further improvement in the situation with opening of the Al Daain centre, that will cater to populations in the North,” said Al Ansari.
The Peninsula