Types of health care services in Qatar

The health services provided by Qatar to citizens and residents include a series of interrelated circles ranging between primary health care and comprehensive treatment services offered by main public hospitals. The State of Qatar guarantees health services to all citizens and residents in government medical institutions through a health card system. The system provides the card holder with a medical record file containing all his/her medical data saved in the nearer health care center. Meanwhile, emergency centers receive all emergency cases without charges, and proceed to free check up or conduct operations according to diagnosis. In early 2008, the helicopter ambulance service was added to Hamad Hospital emergency Center in order to provide better and faster services in the cases of road accidents, and other cases that require rapid transportation to treatment centers. The medical examination at public health centers is free for health card holders. The medicines provided by health centers and government hospitals pharmacies are government supported and are often cheap. Many institutions and companies operating in Qatar offer their employees a comprehensive health insurance in private sector clinics and hospitals by contracting an agreement with insurance companies. In this context, the Government of Qatar intends to adopt the first comprehensive health insurance law for the country. By virtue of this law, the government pays fees on behalf of citizens to public or private health institutions. There will be a separate system for residents.