Health Sciences: Qatar-Related
Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV) clearly sets out the value of a healthy population and how Qatar's health system should help develop and create a healthy nation for the benefit of existing and future generations. To achieve this, everyone needs to take responsibility for developing a healthier society. According to the Qatar Public Health Strategy 2017-2022, its purpose is to "further develop an integrated and comprehensive system that can effectively address current and future public health challenges" (p14). This guide aims to provide specific information related to and about public health in the State of Qatar for both professionals and the general public.
Healthcare System
Qatar provides universal healthcare to all its residents, including expatriates. Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is the country's primary provider of healthcare services and it manages several hospitals and healthcare centers. In 2016, it became the first healthcare system to have all its hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) under the Academic Medical Center accreditation program. It was also the first to achieve institutional accreditation from the AGMCE International LLC.
Below is a list of hospitals in the country. Please note that this list does not advertise or recommend any business, facility, or service. Click each link provided for more information about them.
Government hospitals (HMC's community hospitals):
Aisha Bint Hamad Al Attiyah Hospital (AAH)
Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital (HMGH)
Women’s Wellness and Research Center (WWRC)
Specialty clinics under HMC:
Communicable Disease Center (CDC)
National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR)
National Obesity Treatment Center
Qatar Rehabilitation Institute (QRI)
Private general and specialty hospitals:
Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine (AMNM)
American Hospital Clinics (AHC)
Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital
Dr. Hassan Al-Abdulla Medical Centre
KIMS Qatar Medical Centre (KQMC)
Naseem Al Rabeeh Medical Center
Relevant Institutions and Organizations
The links below will direct you to the website of each institution where you can find more information about them, along with their annual reports. Universities such as Weill-Cornell Medicine - Qatar (WMC-Q), Qatar University (QU), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), and the University of Calgary in Qatar also conduct research and are involved in institutional collaborations and partnerships to carry out projects and initiatives related to continuing the advancement of healthcare and medical research in the country.
- Anti-Doping LaboratoryQatar Anti-Doping Commission is the national anti-doping organization of the country that is responsible for public awareness raising and education of athletes and their support staff, testing athletes in and out of competition, approving therapeutic use exemption, and result management of violation cases.
- Medical Research Center (MRC), Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC)MRC at the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) supports novel research and facilitates the generation of evidence-based research that can be applied to everyday medical practice.
- Qatar BiobankQatar Biobank is a center within Qatar Foundation (QF). It is created in collaboration with Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to enable local scientists to conduct medical research addressing the prevalent health issues in Qatar.
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI)QBRI is a leading institute under HBKU. It addresses the Qatar National Health priorities outlined in the Qatar National Research Strategy through its dedicated research centers: Cancer Research Center (CRC), Diabetes Research Center (DRC) and Neurological Disorders Research Center (NCRC).
- Qatar Genome Project (QGP)QGP, launched in 2015, is a national population-based project that aims to position Qatar among the pioneering countries in the implementation of precision medicine and personalized healthcare to the national health care system. It aims to study the genetic makeup of the Qatari and well as other Arab populations to create large scale genomic databases for researchers.
- Sidra MedicineThe research branch of Sidra Medicine delivers a hospital-wide Precision Medicine Program that is designed to integrate research into clinical workflows across 3 strategic pillars: the research for every patient, advanced diagnostics, and personalized therapy.
- World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH)WISH is an initiative started by Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF). It is global healthcare community that captures and disseminates best evidence-based ideas and practices. The most recent WISH summit was held in 2022.
Patient and Public Information
Here are some recommended sources that you may find useful.
Guide to Cancer Services in Qatar
Tobacco and Lung Cancer Factsheet
Here are some recommended sources that you may find useful.
Education Videos on Diabetes - This page also includes videos on diabetes, its natural course, how to protect yourself from becoming one, and other educational resources on diabetes during COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Prevention Advice for Diabetics
Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) - QDA aims to raise the quality of life in the country through raising awareness on healthy lifestyles, diabetes management and prevention by providing innovative patient care, education and related services.
Refer to the infographic below to understand blood sugar levels.
Here are some recommended sources that you may find useful.
Artificial Sweetener "Aspartame"
Qatar National Nutrition and Physical Activity Action Plan
Browse this cookbook for some interesting recipe and healthy cooking options!
- Healthy Cookbook by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) The Qatar Dietary Guidelines (QDG) were part of the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Action Plan, that aims to reduce morbidity and mortality attributable to chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the State of Qatar. The National Nutrition and Physical Activity Action Plan brings together nutrition and physical activity related actions from global, regional, and national guidance documents to address diet and physical inactivity related diseases. QDG is the foundation for all nutrition and physical activity related programs within the Action Plan 2017- 2022. These guidelines lay the foundation for the promotion of healthy eating and the development of the healthy food policies. Adopting behaviors consistent with the QDG will help reduce risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The QDG will direct both individual behavior change and the development of health and food policies in Qatar. The Ministry of Public Health wanted to showcase the talent of the community members and encourage healthy eating and cooking behaviors amongst the residents of the State of Qatar. We wanted to take the opportunity to promote healthy cooking and healthy lifestyle behaviors by allowing the community itself to submit recipes that were analyzed by a team of Nutritionists for nutrient content, recommendations, and tips from the QDG for the aim of compiling them all into one cookbook written by the community itself.
Here are some recommended sources and some health tips that you may find useful.
Qataris and residents of Qatar can apply for a health card to access services at any of PHCC’s health centers and Hamad Medical Corporation’s healthcare facilities or hospitals. More information about obtaining a health card here.
Essentials
- Application for Accreditation of CME/CPD ActivitiesEligible CPD provider institutions can apply for DHP-AS CPD activity accreditation, according to Qatar’s National CME/CPD Activity Accreditation standards. For more information, check the link.
- Medical Certificate IssuanceFood, barbershops, beauty centers, and health club personnel can benefit from this service
- Participation in Qatar's National CME/CPD ProgramLicensed healthcare practitioners may plan for and record their participation in the National CME/CPD Program by accessing their accounts on Accreditation Section’s Electronic System (e-Portfolio). For more information, click on the link.
- Qatar National Formulary (QNF)This link provides information on the latest prescribing information on the medicines available in Qatar, as well as national prescribing and dispensing regulations and guidelines to all hospitals.
- Medical License RenewalPractitioners whose medical license is about to expire or 3 months prior to expiration can apply for renewal online. For more information, click the link.