The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has organized today the Fourth Occupational Safety and Health Conference under the theme “Working Together for Occupational Safety and Health”, which reviewed the most prominent achievements made under the workers’ health and safety priority in the National Health Strategy (NHS) 2018-2022.
Experts and specialists from the Ministry of Labor (MOL), the Ministry of Interior (MoI), the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRC), the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Qatar Foundation, Qatar Energy, the International Labor Organization (ILO), Qatar Airways as well as several other organizations participated in the conference.
The conference featured several workshops on occupational safety and health, as well as a panel discussion on the priority of health in all policies: the World Cup as a platform to promote health for craftsmen and manual workers.
In his opening statement, Dr. Saleh Ali Al-Marri, Assistant Minister of Public Health for Health Affairs, emphasized the importance of the conference as it highlights occupational safety and health and its great importance in promoting the health and wellbeing of the workforce and boosting its productivity level.
Assistant Minister Al-Marri said: “In this year 2022, we are witnessing the conclusion of the second national health strategy, through which we applied the population health approach, where we worked to improve health services by meeting the health needs of various population groups. Parallel to our significant achievements, the third National Health Strategy is under preparation, with a view to achieving the desired progress towards the Qatar National Vision 2030.”
“We strive to realize our ambitious plans, including those relating to workers’ health and wellbeing through ongoing collaboration with all partners, especially since we have adopted the health in all policies approach as a strategic priority with the involvement and cooperation of all sectors in promoting the health and equity of all populations by incorporating health considerations and impacts into all decision-making and policy processes.”
Saleh Al-Marri stressed that, as the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar is approaching, there is an ideal opportunity to present an international model, referring to the partnership between the State of Qatar, WHO and FIFA, to organize joint activities to place the promotion of healthy lifestyles, health security and physical and mental wellness at the heart of the World Cup. To achieve a healthy World Cup – create a legacy of sport and health.
For her part, Dr. Asmaa Al-Nuaymi, MoPH, NHS National Lead for Healthy and Safe Employees, reviewed some of the important achievements of the Health and Safety Workers Priority in the National Health Strategy 2018-2022, such as the Integrated Healthcare Pathway for craftsmen and manual workers, the National Occupational Health Assessment Guidelines, and the Occupational Safety and Health Database, noting that these achievements were made in cooperation with all partners and support efforts to improve the population’s physical and mental health.
Dr. Asmaa Al Nuaimi praised all ministries, entities and individuals who contributed to these goals through their efforts to help deliver what is best for Qatar. She emphasized continued support for the health strategy by continuing to promote a culture of prevention in all sectors in Qatar.
It is noteworthy that experts and specialists from the MoPH, SC, Qatar Foundation, Ashghal and the QRC participated in a panel discussion on the priority of health in all policies: the World Cup as a platform to promote health for artisans and workers. The participants discussed measures taken by the State of Qatar to improve the situation of workers in terms of living and working conditions, the importance of setting standards for the promotion of health and safe working conditions and what national policies and measures are in place to protect workers from work-related injury risks.
The conference also honored the MoI, the MEHE, the SC, Ashghal, the PHCC, Qatar Energy and Qatar Airways in recognition of their continued support of the National Health Strategy 2018-2022 through the implementation of various health activities to promote their workers’ health and well-being.
The conference featured four workshops; the first one focused on work-life balance, stress management and time management skills; the second reviewed the topic of work-related muscular disorders; the third workshop addressed organizational psychology; and the fourth was dedicated to occupational fitness with the participation of experts and specialists from the participants in the conference, as efforts were intensified by all stakeholders to ensure occupational safety and health, and to provide a safer working environment.
Source: Ministry of Public Health