Statement Doha, 3 March 2014: Doha, 3 March 2014: On 27 February 2014 there was a major gas explosion

in Al Duhail. Tragically, this resulted in 11 deaths. On the same day, there were two other significant incidents in Doha and the Industrial Area. This was a terrible day for the many people affected and our heartfelt sympathy is with those who died and their bereaved families. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the survivors and their families as they begin the road to recovery. In total, these incidents resulted in more than 70 patients being transported to Hamad General Hospital, the countrys major emergency and trauma center. Working together with agencies, including the Ministry of the Interior and Civil Defense, HMCs highly trained paramedics treated critical patients at the scene. Crisis response personnel also provided support to the injured, bereaved and their families. All of the patients seen at Hamad General Hospital were triaged according to their clinical need and were seen and treated swiftly. In some cases, their level of injuries required inpatient admission to Hamad General Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital and Rumailah Hospital. In other cases, patients needed ambulatory care and pain relief, rather than those who needed to be admitted to hospital. In line with international practice, we do not retain as inpatient any patient that should be seen in an ambulatory setting as this will expose him/her to unnecessary risks and may deprive other more needy patient of those beds. Our highly trained professionals led by an international team of emergency specialists met the challenge, providing world-class care to each and every one of those people in need according to their injuries. Several of the injured remain in hospital and are receiving the best care possible from HMCs clinical and medical support teams. Those who have been discharged continue to receive support and follow-up care from HMCs medical professionals as well as from our partner facilities at Primary Care Centers in Doha. Should they require, our facilities remain at their disposal even after they have been transferred to their local primary care provider. Emergency care is provided free of charge to all those who need it, with or without identification. It is categorically not true that any patients who arrive at our facility are denied treatment due to the absence of identification. We seek confirmation of identity prior to discharge, not prior to treatment. Such confirmation is mandated, particularly in incidents such as these, when proper identification of all casualties is so important. The public should beware of any inaccurate information that may circulate in tragic events such as these and we advise the general public to closely follow official announcements regarding the latest updates on major emergencies. In all cases of emergency we thoroughly review our medical records and conduct interviews with the concerned clinicians, and we can guarantee that in this accident all patients were treated according to best international practice and received clinically appropriate, high quality care. HMC can assure the public that our emergency system has provided optimal and appropriate emergency response to all patients involved in the three major incidents on 27 February. HMC also wishes to assure the public of its continuous commitment to bringing world-class are to each and every one of its patients in all emergency situations. Our emergency healthcare professionals across the HMC system are committed to always bringing the best care in all situations. HMC wishes all patients and families well in their journey to recovery.

Tel: (+974) 44398919 Fax: (+974) 44395249 rmorris@hmc.org.qa

P.O. Box 3050 Doha, Qatar www.hamad.qa