The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) recently conducted its fifth training workshop on occupational health fundamentals for doctors, with about 40 physicians from various healthcare facilities participating. This session increased the number of doctors who have completed basic occupational health training to approximately 200, representing governmental, semi-governmental, and private institutions.
The workshop focused on enhancing doctors’ abilities to identify, manage, and prevent occupational and environmental hazards. It also aimed to improve their skills in delivering basic occupational health services and integrating occupational health principles into everyday clinical practice. These measures are intended to elevate the quality of healthcare provided to workers across sectors.
Dr. Mohammed al-Hajjaj, head of the Occupational Health Section at MoPH, highlighted the critical role of cooperation among relevant entities in advancing occupational health goals. He pointed out the ongoing need for preventive efforts to address occupational hazards, work-related injuries, and diseases, especially in high-risk workplaces. According to Dr. al-Hajjaj, training doctors forms a fundamental component in strengthening occupational health services.
In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the ministry has developed an advanced occupational and environmental health training program set to begin in November. This program targets doctors who have completed the basic training, aiming to further develop their expertise.
These initiatives are part of MoPH’s broader strategy to enhance occupational and environmental health services, build healthcare workforce capacity, and promote health and safety across both public and private sectors. The ministry’s efforts seek to foster safer work environments and reduce the incidence of work-related illnesses, injuries, and fatalities.