Ras Laffan, Qatar - 12 March 2012: Under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman & Managing Director of QP, Qatar Petroleum's directorate Ras Laffan Industrial City (RLC) along with QP's Medical Services Department inaugurated today the first Port Medical Center in the State of Qatar.

The establishment of the Ras Laffan Port Medical Center is aligned with International Health Regulations (IHR-2005), whose primary objective is to ensure maximum security against the international spread of diseases with minimum interference on world traffic. The IHR requires real-time event management systems for addressing public health risks and emergencies of international concern. 

The Ras Laffan Port Medical Center is the fourth clinic to be opened in Ras Laffan and is part of the overall medical development strategy for the city. As per the plan, a fifth medical center will eventually be located in the new RLC multipurpose complex, which is currently under construction.

The RLC Port Medical Center was inaugurated by Ras Laffan Director Mr. Abdulaziz Jassim Al-Muftah, QP's Director of HSE Regulations & Enforcement Mr. Saif Al-Naimi, QP's Medical Services Manager Dr. Mahmood Al Jaidah, and QP's Corporate HSE Manager Mr. Saad Al-Kubaisi. The inauguration was also attended by representatives from Qatar's Supreme Council of Health.

In his address during the occasion, Mr. Al-Muftah said: "Ras Laffan Industrial City supports the implementation of regulations at the national level in order to fulfill both local as well as international requirements. This Port Medical Center aims to provide healthcare services to Qatar Petroleum's port employees, contractors and seafarers, as part of our services improvement plan. The availability of the Port Medical Center will support and improve the delivery of medical services and endeavors to cut back on operational expenses."

The Ras Laffan Medical Commission started its operations in 1997. The medical commission provides primary healthcare and emergency services, including ambulance services 24 hours per day. The range of services was further extended with the addition of Occupational Health Services in 2006. Currently, the fourth medical Center in Ras Laffan Port will provide medical services to the port's population, which consists of QP employees in addition to seafarers and other port users.

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© Press Release 2012