Healthcare in Qatar

Many changes and improvements have been introduced since the country opened its first hospital over 60 years ago. Billions of dollars are being spent on improving and expanding Qatar's healthcare system to cope with the rise in population. According to the World Health Organization, Qatar is spending more money per capita on healthcare than any other country in the Gulf. The healthcare system is available to all – nationals, expatriates and visitors. The public healthcare service provides free or extremely subsidised healthcare; the exception to this may be treatment for highly specialised services. Under a new health insurance law (see below), expatriates and visitors have to provide proof of medical insurance. Residents should check with their employer to see what health insurance is provided, or contact one of the insurance companies to take extra personal cover – see Day to Day Qatar in this section for a list of companies.

Law No 22 of 2021 regulating healthcare services in the country was passed by the Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in October 2021. Over the years, expatriates and visitors have been able to access basic public healthcare for free by paying a nominal fee for a government health card and heavily subsidised medication. Employers have not been obliged to provide additional private health insurance. However, Qatar's growing population has placed a heavy burden on the national health system. The new law states that a mandatory health insurance system will be implemented for all resident expatriates and visitors to the country, providing basic healthcare services via healthcare providers in government health facilities and the private sector, according to the provisions of the insurance policy. The provisions of the law oblige that the employer provides health insurance for all non-Qatari workers through insurance companies registered with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), in order to provide them with basic insurance coverage. This is for all expatriates including domestic workers and labourers. The same obligation to provide basic coverage applies to recruiters bringing in new employees. Under the system, expatriates will need to acquire health insurance for any family members residing in the country. The law will come into effect six months after its publication in the Official Gazette (ie in April 2022). Mandatory health insurance will then be necessary – during this six-month period, services will continue to be provided to all residents. The ministry will issue details regarding the application of the law and the health insurance system. The Department of Insurance and Finance at MoPH will be the supervisory body for the entire project, with several levels for filing complaints, whether from individual beneficiaries, insurance companies or health facilities. Commenting on the new law, the MoPH stated that the health insurance system will lead to the development of the health sector and services provided to the public. The challenges facing the healthcare sector resulting from the steady population growth will be alleviated, via the participation of the public and private sectors in providing healthcare services to the population. This in turn will reduce waiting times in government health facilities and provide easier and quicker appointments for medical consultations, while simultaneously meeting the health needs of the population at the highest level of quality. Qatari citizens will continue to be provided with necessary health services at all health facilities within the country without the need for health insurance, as it is the responsibility of the state.

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Mandatory health insurance law passed regulating healthcare services

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The Ministry of Public Health

In 2016 the Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani disbanded the Supreme Council of Health and reverted their responsibilities to the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH, moph.gov.qa). The MoPH will continue to oversee the nation’s health services, with policies, goals and objectives to achieve that vision, and monitoring and evaluation of its progress and the quality and effectiveness of health service providers. The ‘Caring for the Future’ programme encourages healthy lifestyles, provides community‑based primary care, and ensures that the world’s most advanced, highest quality care is available locally in secondary and tertiary medical facilities. One of the pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030, 'Human Development', represents Qatar's ambition to develop a physically and mentally healthy population. The first phase was the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2011–2016, and the National Health Strategy (NHS) 2011–2016. These developments will be built on under NDS 2017–2022 and NHS 2018–2022. All private hospitals in Qatar must be accredited by an internationally‑recognised body. A list of licensed practitioners and pharmacies is on the Ministry website. Facilities must also have surveillance cameras and a security system. MoPH is responsible for the issuance of birth and death certificates. See Day to Day Qatar in the Living in Qatar section for full requirements. Departments and Services • Medical Commission: Examines all travellers to the country and residents; issues medical certificates to: º Prospective and current employees. º Non‑Qataris arriving to work, reside or visit family in the country, or to change sponsorship. º Applicants for Qatari citizenship. º Non‑Qatari men who wish to marry Qatari women. º Students for university enrolment. º Citizens travelling overseas. º Applicants for special categories (eg pilgrimage contractors, citizens marrying outside Qatar). Most medical check‑up procedures are conducted at the Medical Commission (MC) on Industrial Area Road near Abu Hamour, although the service is also available at Al Ahli Hospital, Al Emadi Hospital and Doha Clinic Hospital. The main MC unit has four sections: one for expatriates taking up jobs in senior positions; one for families; one for domestic workers; and one for labourers. There is an electronic registration service for companies and corporations with over 15 employees; they must register their workers’ data online for tests and make electronic payments through Hukoomi, gov.qa. For more information about medical procedures, see Day to Day Qatar in the Living in Qatar section. • Health Protection and Communicable Disease

Control: Monitors and controls communicable diseases, oversees the national vaccination programme. • Health Promotion: Develops and implements health promotion policies and action plans, such as occupational health, tobacco law and mental health. • Health Information Center: Collects health data and information, conducts statistical surveys, liaises with international health institutions, and oversees birth and death registrations. • Food Safety: Implements health policies in all food safety‑related matters, as per Law No 8 of 1990 regarding regulating human food control. • Health Emergency: Responsible for plans and projects related to health emergency preparedness and response, in cooperation with partners in the health sector such as Hamad

Medical Corporation, Primary Health Care

Corporation, and the private sector. • Health Financing and Insurance: Develops health financing and insurance systems that support the wider goals of the healthcare landscape and the National Health Strategy. • Healthcare Professions: Draws up the specifications and conditions of accrediting hospitals, health centres and clinics, and training and rehabilitation centres for health practitioners. Issues licences for practicing health and medical professions and revokes where necessary. • Health Facilities Licensing and Accreditation:

Oversees the licensing and accreditation standards for health facilities, and conducts inspections. • Pharmacy and Drug Control: Responsible for regulating the dispensing, import, and circulation of medicines, including the registration of pharmaceutical companies and supervising drug prices.

E‑services available at moph.gov.qa include: • birth and death certificates • medical commission requests • finding a health practitioner or pharmacy • clinical guidelines

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC, hamad.qa) is the main provider of specialist healthcare in Qatar and one of the leading hospital providers in the Middle East. HMC’s network is made up of 13 hospitals as well as the national Ambulance Service, home and residential care, and other services such as mental health and physiotherapy. Since Rumailah Hospital first opened in 1957, HMC has significantly expanded its portfolio of hospitals. As Qatar has grown and developed over the recent decades, so too has HMC. This long history of caring for the residents of Qatar ensures HMC is uniquely positioned to understand the specific cultural and healthcare needs of the population, and provide the best possible care. The clinical teams at HMC deliver a wide range of specialist healthcare services to patients. These services differ to those provided at primary health centres as they diagnose and treat complex cases that cannot be treated in a primary care setting. In 2021, HMC marked 15 years of accreditation by Joint Commission International (JCI) under the Academic Medical Center accreditation programme and is the first healthcare system in the world to have all its hospitals accredited. How to get an appointment at an HMC hospital Getting an appointment is simple and convenient by following these steps: > Visit your primary healthcare provider (Primary

Health Care Corporation or private clinic). Your primary care doctor will refer you to HMC if specialist care is required. • Referrals from private clinics need to be taken in person to the relevant HMC hospital. • Referrals from PHCC health centres are made automatically. > Once your referral has been received by HMC, you will be sent an SMS acknowledging receipt. > When an appointment becomes available you will be contacted with the date, time and location. Once processed, you will also receive an appointment notification by SMS. > You will receive an appointment reminder three days before your appointment and an SMS one day before. Fees for services at HMC Qatar residents with a valid Qatar ID and health card are entitled to heavily subsidised consultations and prescriptions. Without these documents patients will be charged a higher fee for services. Emergency medical services are provided free of charge. Contacting HMC HMC’s dedicated customer service team, Nesmaak, can help with questions and inquiries. Nesmaak teams are on hand in all HMC hospitals to assist patients and visitors, via 16060 or by emailing nesmaak@hamad.qa. Nesmaak staff speak many languages to make your experience as smooth as possible. Availability Sunday – Thursday 7 am – 10 pm, Friday 2 pm – 10 pm, Saturday 10 am – 6 pm

HMC Hospitals

Ambulatory Care Center The centre offers patients an exciting new approach to surgical and clinical care in Qatar, providing day care surgery, some inpatient surgical care and clinical care in a single dedicated location. This means that within 23 hours of receiving surgery or a medical procedure, patients will be able to leave hospital and recover in the comfort of their own home.

Al Khor Hospital Al Khor was the first Hamad hospital outside of Doha, a 115-bed facility providing healthcare services to the growing population in the northern region of Qatar. The hospital offers patients treatment in a pleasant and modern environment, with a wide range of clinical departments providing advanced care. The hospital has the Antenatal and Postnatal Exercise Center, unique to HMC, and a Breastfeeding Resource Center, as well as the offices for Home Healthcare Services.

Al Wakra Hospital Al Wakra Hospital provides healthcare services for the rapidly growing towns of Al Wakra and Mesaieed to the south of Qatar. Al Wakra Hospital provides patients with safe, high-quality care in an efficient way. The opening of the hospital has meant that people from the Al Wakra community no longer need to travel to Doha as the care is readily available here at home.

Communicable Disease Center The CDC is a specialist tertiary centre to support and treat patients with communicable diseases. It has been purpose built with the mission to detect, treat and prevent infectious diseases in Qatar, particularly those of public health importance. Its highly specialised team of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals provide consultations and treatments for patients who have infections that are often beyond the scope of primary and other secondary care services. Hamad General Hospital One of the region's leading tertiary hospitals, offering highly specialised care since 1982. The 600+ bed facility offers a wide range of medical care and clinical services, including trauma, emergency medicine, paediatrics, critical care, specialised and sub-specialised surgery, specialised medicine, laboratory medicine, diagnostic imaging, and adult rehabilitation. There are more than 65 specialty clinics, one of the world's busiest emergency departments, five intensive care units, eight operating theatres and a large pharmacy. Modern diagnostic facilities include laboratory, medicine, pathology and radiology. A state-of-the-art Trauma and Emergency Center was officially opened in 2019 by the Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with a Hyperbaric Therapy Unit and the first hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber of its kind in Qatar. The National Center for Diabetes Treatment opened in 2013 and provides diabetics with improved patient care and access to specialised services through a multi-disciplinary approach. The hospital also manages the Fahad Bin Jassim Kidney Center, offering some of the most advanced treatment standards in the region for patients with acute and chronic kidney ailments.

Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital Located in the Industrial Area of Doha, the hospital provides inpatient and outpatient care, surgical services, and emergency care services. With a 14-bed Emergency Department and 118 inpatient and intensive care unit beds, the hospital can treat hundreds of patients each day. The hospital welcomes all adult male patients, providing them with access to the highest quality treatment and care within their community.

Heart Hospital The state-of-the-art centre is committed to delivering high-quality care and treatment for adults with heart conditions. The specialist hospital integrates all cardiothoracic medical and surgical facilities in one centre. Heart Hospital is committed to academic health as well as medical education with an active cardiology fellowship programme, and a strong commitment to the education of residents, fellows and specialists.

National Center for Cancer Care and Research The 60-bed hospital specialises in the delivery of diagnosis, treatment and management for the care of people with cancer and blood disease. Advanced technology, such as the region's first PET CT scanner, combined with teams of specialists and highly trained staff offer high-quality healthcare tailored to patients’ individual needs.

Qatar Rehabilitation Institute The Institute is the region’s largest tertiary rehabilitation hospital, providing world-class integrated rehabilitation services and the most technologically advanced patient-centred care. At the heart of this care is a passionate multidisciplinary team of clinicians working together to coordinate and deliver a personalised package of advanced rehabilitation services tailored to every one of their patient’s individual circumstances. The ‘Easy Street’ rehabilitation facility, opened in 2021, simulates real-world situations in a safe clinical environment so that patients can take their first independent steps towards recovery after a lengthy illness with life-changing medical issues.

Rumailah Hospital Rumailah Hospital is Hamad’s longest-serving hospital and provides healthcare services for both acute and long-term rehabilitation patients. It is a multi-speciality teaching hospital with 605 beds across seven sites. Most services are provided from the original main site, such as dermatology, ophthalmology, plastic surgery and care for the elderly. Rumailah Hospital has achieved Joint Commission International (JCI) Triennial Hospital Reaccreditation as well as JCI accreditation for Long Term Care Standards, the first hospital in the GCC to attain this status.

The Cuban Hospital Located in Dukhan in the west of Qatar, the hospital is a joint venture project between the State of Qatar and the Cuban Government. With 65 beds and approximately 400 highly qualified Cuban healthcare professionals, the hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technology serving Dukhan and its surrounding communities. Women’s Wellness and Research Center The centre is the region’s largest tertiary hospital providing women in Qatar with specialised care through all stages of their lives. The hospital offers a range of surgical and clinical services from preconception to childbirth, post-natal care and beyond, provided by a passionate multidisciplinary team of highly trained clinicians specialising in gynaecology, obstetrics, and newborn care. The Obstetric Anesthesia Services has been designated as a Center of Excellence by the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology in the US, the first hospital in the Middle East to receive the prestigious designation recognising institutions and programs that demonstrate excellent obstetric anesthesia care.

Additional Services

Ambulance Service Each year HMC’s Ambulance Service receives more than 250,000 calls, many of which request emergency support for life-threatening incidents. The Ambulance Service teams are quickly dispatched to assist the injured patient using the most appropriate fleet vehicle for their needs. The Ambulance Service fleet includes air ambulances (helicopters), advanced road ambulances and rapid response vehicles, 4x4s for the desert, and bicycle units for Qatar’s parks. The helicopters ensure air ambulance coverage even in the most remote areas of the country. The pilots of the helicopters are from the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF). The Ambulance Service’s Medical Communication Center was named the Middle East’s first Accredited Center of Excellence by the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch for its high level of commitment towards delivering safe and efficient healthcare in Qatar and the region. The service itself has been accredited three times by the Joint Commission International for quality and safety, and the LifeFlight service has also been accredited by the European Aeromedical Institute for both adult and paediatric critical care. The Mobile Healthcare Service (MHS), launched in 2015, provides senior physician support and nursing care to patients outside the hospital setting. The service works in collaboration with the Home Healthcare Service, responding to urgent calls and supporting clinical teams in delivering care to patients in their homes. MHS doctors support early discharge by working with the hospital's medical teams to identify patients who are able to go home but might still need support. The programme reduces the length of stay of many patients by providing extra support following discharge from the hospital. 'Know the 5 to save a life' campaign In order for the Ambulance Service to provide the best possible support quickly, it is vital that members of the public follow the Know the 5 to save a life’s five key steps. For any medical emergency call 999 and request an ambulance. Residential and home care Caring for partially or long-term dependent patients outside a hospital setting is of great importance. The Enaya Specialized Care Center provides services for patients with 24-hour specialist care needs, in conjunction with Hamad General Hospital and Rumailah Hospital. Continuing Care is for patients who need care outside of a hospital in specialised facilities, in the community or at home. Dental services Hamad Dental Services offers patients access to specialised oral and dental care at the stateof-the-art Hamad Dental Center and several other locations within HMC. This includes both routine dental exams and more complex procedures. Mental health services HMC plays a leading role in the delivery of care for people with a mental health illness. Guided by Qatar's National Mental Health Strategy, HMC is working with partners in Qatar to develop a highquality mental health system and transform the way mental illness is perceived and treated. The strategy will drive important structural changes which allow HMC to be more focused in its delivery of community-based care, providing the people who need it with the right care, at the right time and in the most beneficial environments. HMC has partnered with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and Qatar’s healthcare providers on an awareness campaign to educate the public about mental health and to remove social stigma. The first Guide to Mental Health was launched in December 2019, developed by MoPH, HMC, Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), Sidra Medicine, Qatar Red Crescent and Naufar, a mental health facility that focuses on wellbeing and help for those with addiction and substance abuse.

Extensive information regarding mental health can be found at sehanafsia.moph.gov.qa, an initiative run by MoPH to provide information to the public about wellbeing, mental health conditions and how to access services in Qatar. More than 25 organisations in Qatar joined their 'Are You Ok?' campaign in 2021.

For more information about mental health services, visit hamad.qa, call Nesma'ak on 16060, or the mental health helpline on 16000. For immediate assistance, go to an HMC hospital emergency department (see list below).

Qatar Metabolic Institute Under HMC's Academic Health System, several educational, research and clinical institutions in Qatar have united to drive forward significant improvements in the health and disease outcomes of the Qatar population affected by diabetes, obesity and metabolic disorders. Partners include HMC, PHCC, Sidra Medicine, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Qatar University, Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar; College of North Atlantic in Qatar, and University of Calgary in Qatar.

HMC hospitals with emergency departments

Patients with emergency medical conditions should call 999 for an ambulance or visit the emergency department at one of these HMC hospitals: • Hamad General Hospital • Al Wakra Hospital • Al Khor Hospital • The Cuban Hospital • Heart Hospital (for patients with emergency heart conditions only) • National Center for Cancer Care and Research (for emergency cases related to cancer only) • Women’s Wellness and Research Center (for emergency gynaecological and obstetrics conditions only) Reasons for going to an emergency department Emergency departments are designed to care for the patients with urgent medical conditions. Patients presenting at an emergency department in Qatar are triaged on arrival to determine the severity of their condition. This allows the emergency teams to prioritise those patients with the most serious conditions and treat them first. Pediatric Emergency Centers (PEC) The PECs provide appropriate urgent care 24/7 for all patients up to 14 years of age. Trauma and other emergency cases should go directly to a main emergency department. • Main Pediatric Emergency Center: Al Sadd

Street/Suhaim bin Hamad Street • PEC Al Daayen: Al Khor Road • PEC Al Rayyan: Al Fourousiya Street • PEC Al Shamal: Al Ruwais • PEC Airport: Airport Street Qatar Blood Services

As Qatar is witnessing rapid growth in all fields, especially in the health sector, the Blood Donor Center is the only health entity providing blood supplies for the whole of Qatar. The centre's main target is to attract voluntary blood donors in order to meet the needs of both public and private hospitals in Qatar. The procedure for donating blood at the centres, including donor registration, a medical interview, physical examination and assessment, as well as blood collection and post donor care, only takes about one hour. Work Hours Main Blood Donor Center (near Hamad General Hospital): Saturday 8 am – 8 pm; Sunday to Thursday 7 am – 7:30 pm; Friday closed. New Blood Donor Center (near HMC Surgical Specialty Center): Sunday to Thursday 7 am – 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday closed. Mobile blood donation buses also often operate for urgent donation. Call 4439 1081/2 for confirmation of working hours before visiting.

Organ Donation

The Qatar Organ Donation Center is an internationally acclaimed centre that practices high professional and ethical standards. The Doha Donation Accord, prepared by HMC and endorsed by world-leading international experts in the field of organ donation and transplantation, ensures ethical, equitable, safe and legal processes for organ donation. The national organ donation and transplantation programme supports the vision of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of ‘Healthcare for all’.

As a result of ongoing awareness campaigns, the number of registered donors has grown significantly. The Donor Registry is unique in its design and includes over 100 nationalities. Deceased organ donations and living organ donations have increased to make the number of transplant surgeries recently completed the highest since the start of the programme. To register as a donor or to make enquiries about donations, contact the Qatar Organ Donation Center: 4439 8557, organdonation.hamad.qa

Meeting international standards of care

Hamad Medical Corporation has sought and achieved accreditation from leading organisations in recent years across many areas. Accreditation demonstrates Hamad’s ability to deliver high standards of care to our patients. HMC is the first healthcare system in the world to have all of its facilities and services accredited by US-based Joint Commission International (JCI) under the Academic Medical Center accreditation programme, including four of HMC's newest hospitals in May 2019, as well as the Hamad Dental Center and Mental Health Service. The National Ambulance Service, Home Healthcare Service, Stroke Service and Palliative Care have also all received accreditation since 2011.

Working towards a healthy Qatar

Improving the health of the people of Qatar is a priority for HMC. Hamad works closely with local healthcare partners, including the Ministry of Public Health and the Primary Health Care Corporation, to raise awareness of important health and injury prevention issues. Hamad Trauma Center HMC’s Trauma System at Hamad General Hospital provides comprehensive care for patients including pre-hospital, while at the centre, and rehabilitation services. Education and outreach programmes are supported by data from the National Trauma Registry, analysed by the Clinical Research Unit and Hamad Injury Prevention Program (HIPP). HIPP, a research initiative to improve public health and safety, is a collaboration with many partners related to injury prevention, such as for construction workers and pedestrians. HIPP activities also engage those in other high-risk groups for injury, such as children and young drivers. HIPP's two National Priorities Research Program Grants from Qatar Foundation are for improving the use of child restraints in children aged under five, and for creating a unified registry for all occupational injuries in Qatar. Public awareness campaigns Another focus for HMC is educating the public about the signs, symptoms and care options of important health issues. A number of public awareness campaigns have been run for such things as stroke, diabetes, organ donation, psoriasis and smoking cessation. Major campaigns include breast cancer awareness each October and dedicated information to ensure a safe and healthy Ramadan. This all provides patients with the tools and knowledge to take responsibility for their own health, leading to a healthier society.

Delivery of medical reports and consumables

Patients of Hamad General Hospital, Heart Hospital, Rumailah Hospital, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Al Wakra Hospital, The Cuban Hospital and Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital can have HMC medical reports delivered to them directly by Qatar Post. When requesting reports, patients need to provide their Qatar ID details, mobile number, a preferred delivery time, and a delivery address. The day before, Qatar Post will call to confirm the time of the delivery. Under HMC's Home Healthcare Service, patients with valid health cards can also have medical consumables such as gloves, bandages, and dressings delivered to their home, by signing up with their Home Healthcare nurse. The service is a convenience for those that regularly require these items, as they will no longer have to visit their hospital multiple times. HMC will send a link via SMS for payment of the medical consumables. The delivery fee is QAR30, payable to the Qatar Post representative at the time of delivery. To order medication call the Community Call Centre 16000; for general information contact HMC's Nesma’ak on 16060 or PHCC's Hayyak on 107.

About Primary Health Care Corporation

Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) operates 27 health centres across Qatar, delivering community-based primary care services to Qatar’s population in all parts of the country. These primary health centres provide a wide range of preventative, diagnostic and treatment healthcare services, including dental, antenatal care, immunisation, pharmacy, ophthalmology, audiology, radiology and wellness. The 27 PHCC laboratories have become one of the world’s largest group of network laboratories accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) outside the US and the largest in the public sector. Primary health centres should be the first point of contact for patients with non-emergency conditions – patients with emergency conditions should visit an HMC emergency department or call 999 for an ambulance. If your primary care doctor determines that more specialist care is required they will refer you to an HMC hospital. How to get an appointment at a primary health centre All expatriate residents of Qatar can register at their local health centre when obtaining a health card. Qatari nationals can make an appointment at any primary health centre. To get an appointment at the health centre you are registered at, follow either of the steps below: • Visit your registered health centre in person to arrange an appointment. • Call the PHCC customer services team, Hayyak, on 107 and they will schedule an appointment for you. How to contact Primary Health Care Corporation PHCC customer service teams are available 24/7, via Hayyak, 107 or the Community Call Centre, 16000. The Nar’aakom app offers a number of services and facilities, such as accessing upcoming appointments and applying for a health card online. The app is available in English and Arabic. Payment for services at primary health centres Qatar residents with valid health cards are entitled to subsidised consultations and prescriptions. Sidra Medicine

Sidra Medicine is an ultramodern, academic medical centre providing specialised healthcare to women, children and young persons in Qatar. It is a private hospital for public benefit. Established by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, Sidra Medicine embraces best practice medical education, innovative biomedical and clinical research and discovery, and exceptional patient and family focused care. Sidra Medicine is the only specialist hospital in Qatar to care for children with cancer from the ages of 0 to 18 years. How to get an appointment at Sidra Medicine Sidra Medicine accepts referrals from all healthcare providers in Doha, including Hamad Medical Corporation, Primary Health Care Corporation and private healthcare institutions. In addition, its Women’s Services also accepts self-referrals. Self-referrals for Women’s Services • For an Obstetrics, Gynaecology or Maternal

Foetal Medicine appointment, call Women’s

Services 4003 7113, email wcct@sidra.org or visit sidra.org/women for more information. • The Women’s Obstetrics Triage and an Urgent

Care Clinic treats moderate to serious health issues for women relating to pregnancy and the female reproductive system. • For Sidra Medicine’s Perinatal Mental Healthcare service, call the Sidra Medicine Hotline 4003 3333, ask for the Women’s Wellbeing

Clinic and request an appointment. Payment for services at Sidra Medicine Patients accessing Women’s Services such as maternity, gynaecology and foetal-maternal care will be charged for the care they receive. For payment rates, contact Sidra Medicine directly. How to contact Sidra Medicine For general inquiries about Sidra Medicine, call their contact centre on 4003 3333. Sidra Medicine also has a dedicated Women’s Care Coordination Team (WCCT) who can be contacted on 4003 7113 or wcct@sidra.org for information related to selfreferrals, tours of the maternity wards or ante-natal classes for patients. Operating hours for WCCT are Sunday – Thursday 7 am – 3 pm.

How the Health System Works Together

Qatar’s various healthcare providers work closely together to deliver the very best healthcare services to Qatar’s population. Referrals between providers Primary care centres are usually the first point of contact for patients with non-emergency conditions in Qatar. If the primary care doctor feels that more specialist care is needed at one of HMC’s hospitals, they will refer the patient to HMC for an appointment. A similar referral process also operates between HMC, Sidra Medicine and the private sector provider. Patients can also be referred back to a primary health centre for follow up after receiving treatment at an HMC hospital. Sharing of patient information Over the last 10 years many initiatives have significantly improved the ability of clinical teams to share patient information between teams across the health system. Many patient records, including laboratory results, x-rays images and medical reports, can now be accessed electronically by clinical teams in HMC, PHCC and Sidra facilities. This enhances the quality of care delivered to patients by providing clinicians with a complete patient record regardless of where they are treated. MyHealth Patient Portal The MyHealth Patient Portal enables patients to access their electronic personal health record online and through an app. Features of the portal include the ability to access lab reports, to view and reschedule upcoming appointments, and to review discharge summaries. The portal also allows patients to send a non-urgent message to their healthcare provider in a confidential manner. MyHealth empowers patients by allowing them to play a more active role in controlling their health information and making more informed decisions about their wellbeing. It helps patients stay on track by providing up to date information about lab results and active medications and provides reminders about appointments. Patients can enroll for the MyHealth Portal online at myhealth.qa or at any HMC or PHCC facility. Patients can also seek more information about MyHealth by calling Nesma’ak at HMC on 16060 or Hayyak at PHCC on 107.

Health System FAQs

I have just arrived in Qatar and need to get a health card, what do I do? To get a health card, residents must visit the Primary Health Center nearest to where you live – call 107 if you are unsure where your local centre is. I need a sick note for work, where can I get one from? You should visit your local health centre for a sick note. If you are visiting an emergency department due to your condition being a serious medical emergency, you can request a sick note at the emergency department. I want to see a doctor at a HMC hospital, how can I get an appointment? Unless you have a medical emergency, in which case you should go to your nearest HMC emergency department or call 999 for an ambulance, you will need a referral from a primary health centre or private clinic in order to make an appointment at an HMC facility.

I want to see a doctor at a primary health centre, how can I get an appointment? You can call Primary Health Care Corporation’s customer helpline, Hayyak, on 107 to arrange an appointment at the health centre which you are registered at. Alternatively, you can visit your health centre in person to arrange an appointment. Do I need to prepare for an appointment? If you are visiting the hospital or primary health centre for the first time, please come at least 30 minutes before your appointment time in order to complete some paperwork. Does it matter if I miss a scheduled doctor’s appointment? If you are unable to attend a scheduled appointment, call your primary health centre via Hayyak 107, or hospital clinic via Nesma’ak 16060 in advance to cancel, so the timeslot can be used for another patient who may need it more urgently. How do I know which is my local health centre? Your utility bill (phone, water/electricity) includes a code related to your location and this determines where your designated health centre is located. Call Hayyak 107 for more information or take your utility bill in person to the nearest health centre. Do I have to pay for care at HMC and primary care centres? These facilities do charge a small fee for services but residents with a valid health card are entitled to greatly subsidised consultations and prescriptions at Hamad Medical Corporation and Primary Health Care Corporation facilities. I have a bad back and need to see a doctor; can I go to an emergency department and be seen? For all non-urgent conditions, such as backache, small cut or mild eye discomfort, you should make an appointment at your local health centre. Emergency departments should be used for only serious emergency medical conditions. Why can’t I just turn up at a HMC hospital and be seen by a doctor? HMC provides specialist secondary and tertiary care services. These services are for patients whose needs are too complex to be treated at a primary care centre. A large number of conditions can be successfully treated in primary care and do not require treatment at HMC. Can I see the same doctor at my health centre? Every effort will be made to enable you to see the same doctor for your visit, but the doctor’s availability on the day you wish to come cannot be guaranteed. I would like to access help for a mental health condition, where can I go for this? If you are concerned about depression, anxiety or any similar mental health issue that affects your general health, visit your doctor in a primary health clinic for care or referral to one of HMC’s clinics. For urgent care involving suicidal or selfharm thoughts, visit one of HMC’s emergency departments or call 999. I need to see a dentist, should I go to my health centre or to an HMC hospital? Unless your condition is a medical emergency, in which case you should go to your nearest emergency department, you should visit your local health centre for a dental consultation. If specialist dental treatment is required, your primary care doctor may refer you to HMC. I have moved house and want to change my health centre, how can I do this? To change your health centre you must obtain a utility bill from your new address and visit the nearest health centre to apply for a change. I/my wife is pregnant and must register with an obstetrician, where can we get antenatal care? Your first appointment should be at your local health centre. Your primary care doctor can then advise on the best plan for your antenatal care. Is there public parking available when I visit a HMC clinic or primary health centre? All hospitals and health centres have public parking facilities. However, some of HMC’s busy hospitals have limited free parking and visitors are recommended to either come by taxi or public transport or they can use the valet parking service offered in many locations. m

Education

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Feature – Updating Qatar’s Physical Education Curriculum

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education plans to update the current curriculum for physical education at local schools.

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• Language Courses and Tuition • Community Classes and Extra-mural Courses • Lectures/Discussions/Workshops

327 Arabic/Islamic Culture Courses

Education

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