On June 18, 2009, a delegation from PRCS that included Dr.Wael Qa'adan and Dr. Muhummad Awada, visited Qatar for a week. During their visit, they held discussions with officials from the Qatar Red Crescent Society with the aim of this strengthening cooperation between both societies.
Dr. Qa'adan explained that in light of the remarkable progress of Qatar, “We have come to visit and get acquainted with Primary healthcare services for the EMS department, and its role in fulfilling the services both in practice and in theory.
A review of the aspects of cooperation between QRC and PRCS in supporting the capabilities of PRCS, and in developing a plan for the development of ambulance and emergency services in both areas of execution and practice, according to the needs between PRCS and Hamad Medical Facility and in cooperation with QRC, in addition to the exchange of experience at this level.
Dr. Qa'adan also added, "We’ve met the majority of the members of the QRC administration, and our meeting was intense with Dr. Khalid Ma'adid, the Executive Director, and those concerned in Relief Department and the Medical Affairs Department. We were introduced to their work strategy and their future plans, and we were acquainted with their potential and their various services such as their activities and courses.
Dr. Qa'adan also referred to the visit as one that strengthens the brotherly ties in every aspect, especially operational and developmental ones, quoting, "we have researched the possibility of the participation of some of our Palestinian people in the training courses dealing with injuries of players in the near future, especially since the Red Crescent has experience in this area.
He also added," we have been able to visit the training and development center in the Hamad Medical Facility, and we’ve met a number of its members. Moreover, we got acquainted with the level of services and courses which the medical center provides in order to develop EMS cadre. We also got acquainted with future teaching methods, met a number of EMS heads of regions, and become familiar with working mechanisms and how to provide Al-Doha and other areas with EMS services."
Furthermore, Dr. Awada clarified, "we got introduced to tasks performed by several departments, for example, the telecommunications department and the quality control department. During our visit, we pursued a part of the practical drills which is provided periodically for all EMS staff."
Concerning the obstacles that hinder PRCS EMS services, Dr. Awada added that "the Israeli occupation by itself is an obstacle, in addition to closed areas and military checkpoints; it is a situation which hinders the work and movement of EMS ambulances and staff and their response to an emergency in a short period of time. Let alone the suffering of EMS staff who face humiliation of being hit and sometimes arrested."
He also added," our vehicles are constantly the target of Israeli gunfire, in addition to administrative obstacles which hinder West Bank materials from entering Gaza Strip, such as medical equipments, services and supplies, and the difficulty of transportation for EMS supervisors from the West Bank to Gaza and vice versa.
He also stated, "we are trying to overcome most of these obstacles which the Israeli forces do not respond to, and we are communicating with International committees and institutions, such as the ICRC, which is working with great effort with the Israeli committee armed with the the International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva agreements, however the Israeli Forces have given little response.
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