Qatar well prepared to meet the demands of FIFA World Cup 2022: Health minister

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Qatar’s health sector is well prepared to meet the requirements of FIFA World Cup 2022, said Minister of Public Health, H E Dr. Hanan Al Kuwari at the opening session of Qatar Health 2022 and 2nd Qatar Public Health Conference, yesterday. 

Organised by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), the four-day virtual conference is being held as part of the healthcare sector’s preparations for the FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022.

“The coming months will be an incredibly exciting period for everyone living in Qatar as preparations intensify for the FIFA World Cup 2022. Our healthcare teams have been preparing for the tournament for many years, they have been involved in large-scale tournaments hosted in Doha, including the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup and IAAF World Athletics Championships 2019, as well as the recent FIFA Arab Cup,” said Dr. Al Kuwari. 

“Our teams now have a wealth of experience in delivering services for major events and gatherings in Qatar and I am confident that we are well prepared to meet the demands of the FIFA World Cup 2022,” she added.

Qatar Health 2022 and 2nd Qatar Public Health Conference has brought together more than 4,000 healthcare professionals and experts across the globe. Throughout the conference, different sessions will focus on the public health aspect of preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and the importance of public health measures in Qatar’s COVID-19 strategy.

“In preparation for the World Cup, the WHO has worked with Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health to develop a programme of simulation exercises and reviews for mass gatherings. It focuses on strengthening preparedness, health security, infectious diseases, food safety, coordination and communication. The lessons learned from Qatar’s experience during this World Cup will help us all in designing health and safety measures for other large-scale events,” Director General of World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus. 

Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) Hassan Al Thawadi said that Qatar may be the country that hosts the first true gathering of global fans since the start of the pandemic.

“In our eyes, the pandemic has given Qatar 2022 a new significance, our World Cup may well be the first time the world can properly come together to celebrate its passion for football. And our confidence is reaffirmed by the success of the FIFA Arab Cup, delivered in November and December last year, which followed a series of events marking the gradual, safe, resumption of international football in Qatar since the start of the pandemic,” he said. 

Addressing the openings session of the conference, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “The healthy FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will create a long lasting legacy for sport and health. I wish you all a great conference as you join us in building up to a FIFA World Cup that will change perspectives, inspired billions and be the healthiest World Cup ever.” 

Sessions on the first day of the conference discussed topics including government approach towards the pandemic, scientific contributions to the pandemic response; informing public health   policy decisions.

Qatar Health 2022 is dedicated to showcasing the work and opinions of leaders in their respective domains as well as the 112 abstracts that have been accepted for oral or poster presentation. And 2nd Qatar Public Health sessions will provide unique insights into Qatar’s Public Health capabilities in its preparations and measures to host a successful FIFA World Cup 2022 considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.