Workers’ wellbeing at the center of technology to be introduced by SC and WCM-Q

In another effort to support the wellbeing of workers engaged in Qatar’s 2022 construction projects, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) are collaborating to introduce hi-tech devices to track and monitor the health of workers.

A team of experts from the world-class medical institute will use advanced technological solutions to stay updated on workers’ health as part of a field assessment to be carried out over a period of three years.

The team will keep track of key health indicators such as heart rate and rhythm, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, body temperature and hydration of the workers on SC sites, as reported by the Gulf Times.

The monitoring process will help the country assess and identify individuals at risk and deploy preventive measures and care processes to help ensure workers’ good health.

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This is part of the project initiated in 2018, which saw SC and WCM-Q partnering to conduct health checks of construction workers. During the phase, several training and health awareness campaigns were organized for the workers’ betterment. The initiative also involved working with caterers to enhance nutritional choices in workers’ meals, according to Qatar Tribune. 

Executive Director of the SC’s Workers’ Welfare Department, Mahmoud Qutub, said, “projecting the health of our workers is of paramount importance to the SC, and this innovative project will further enhance our capacity to do that.”

He added, “This initiative is part of our broader suite of health and safety initiatives and complements the recent decision by the SC to mandate the comprehensive medical screenings for all workers, currently being carried out by the Qatar Red Crescent Society.”

Other health indicators including body weight, smoking status, muscle strength, sleep duration and mental health will also be screened under the new project.

The state-of-the-art technology will also make it possible for the team to monitor a larger number of workers in the future.

Dean of WCM-Q, Dr Javaid I Sheikh, said: “The use of hi-tech health monitoring systems places this project at the forefront of global efforts to protect the health of workers, while the continued emphasis on sharing information about healthy lifestyle behaviour and nutrition will enhance the ability of workers to optimise their own health, both here in Qatar and when they return to their home countries.”

The project will also incorporate lessons learned from the field assessments, provide nutritional advice, video-based training resources, and give workers access to nutritionists and relevant information in their languages.

Additionally, the SC and WCM-Q will provide training to contractors, catering staff and Workers’ Welfare Officers on key health issues affecting workers, Qatar’s dietary guidelines, and health and nutritional best practices relevant to the construction industry.

Dr Shahrad Taheri, professor of medicine and assistant dean for clinical investigations, who is leading the WCM-Q expert team, added: "The work will have a strong legacy and can play a role in further enhancing health and welfare programs across Qatar where large-scale construction projects are underway.”

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Cover Image Credit: The National