Doha: Hamad Medical Corporation has reminded residents and citizens to call 1600, and not 999 if they want timely help in cases related to the novel coronavirus—Covid-19.

This is apparently after emergency service gets hundreds of wrong calls to 999 daily.

“For all questions and enquiries related to COVID-19, members of the public should call the Ministry of Public Health's dedicated hotline on 16000,” the HMC said in a tweet.

“The 999 number is for medical emergencies requiring immediate medical attention and transfer to an emergency department, it said, adding “The Ambulance Service's Medical Dispatchers receive hundreds of 999 calls each day from members of the public with urgent medical conditions and the 999 number must be prioritized for these life-threatening situations.”

SOURCE: THEPENINSULAQATAR