DOHA: The emergency unit of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is gearing up to handle an increasing number of cases during Eid Al Adha holidays.
The unit had a taste of what lies ahead in terms of patient turnout during the holidays as some 1,200 cases, mostly of stomach upsets, were reported yesterday alone.
From 6 in the morning until 6 in the evening, HMC’s emergency department had to attend to 85 heart attack cases that also included complaints regarding chest pain.
At least a dozen accident cases were reported aside from two deaths that occurred due to stomach-related ailments.
Dr Saad Al Nuaimi, consultant at the unit, said that some 20 to 25 doctors, including consultants and specialists, are being deployed on duty at the emergency unit during the Eid holidays.
These doctors will be actively supported by a well-trained nursing staff, he said. The shift of the doctors and nurses will be changing every eight hours.
This means that 20 to 25 doctors will be present at the emergency unit round-the-clock during the Eid holidays.
“And, if we need the services of a particular specialist who is not on duty at the time we need him, we would be immediately calling him,” said Al Nuaimi.
According to him, more accident and stomach upset cases are reported for emergency medical care during the Eid holidays. “That is the reason why we are increasing the number of doctors at the emergency department,” he said.
Yesterday, in fact the maximum number of cases that were reported to the emergency unit related to stomach upsets, with Al Nuaimi cautioning people to avoid overeating and against large intake of sweet and fatty food.
A lot of people indulge in overeating during the Eid holidays and develop several complications like high blood pressure and severe stomach upsets.
Then, there are diabetics who indulge in overeating and come complaining of problems to the emergency section of HMC.
Muslim kept fast yesterday and despite that the turnout of people with complaints at the emergency section was quite large the whole day.
Community sources said that some families begin feasting at least a week before Eid Al Adha and since they eat a lot of meat and fatty food and sweets, they develop complications like stomach upsets and are rushed for emergency medical attention.
The Peninsula
