Guide to Qatar’s Healthcare Sector

Qatar’s healthcare sector has experienced remarkable growth over the past few decades, guided by the government’s National Health Strategy to create a world-class, patient-centred health care system. Qatar has the highest health care expenditure per capita among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Since the National Health Strategy’s inception in 2011, the number of private and public hospital beds available has doubled. Health is a strategic pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030, (QNV), working to improve access to world-class care, promote research, digital innovation and high-tech solutions in healthcare.

What is driving growth in Qatar’s healthcare sector?

The demand for healthcare is increasing due to Qatar’s steadily growing population and the incidence of chronic and lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The introduction of compulsory health insurance and the developing medical tourism sector have also pushed up demand. The government has invested heavily in building state-of-the-art hospitals, clinics, and research institutions. Private investment and private-public partnerships (PPPs) have also increased, with advances in digitisation, telemedicine, and advanced treatments. The National Health Strategy also emphasises prevention and promoting healthier lifestyles.

How is Qatar’s Healthcare System structured?

Qatar’s healthcare system includes both public and private providers. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) oversees healthcare services in Qatar.?

Public Sector:

Qatari citizens mostly receive free or highly subsidised comprehensive care in Qatar’s excellent public healthcare system.? This includes the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) network of well equipped secondary and tertiary hospitals and clinics, and the Primary Health Care Corporation’s (PHCC) growing number of health centres throughout the country. Public sector healthcare is accessed through a government-issued health card. Expatriate residents may also apply for a health card to access subsidised public healthcare.

Private sector:??

Expatriate residents from many countries make up approximately 88% of Qatar’s population. Since 2023, employers have been required to obtain private health insurance from an approved Qatari insurer for all their expatriate employees, including their eligible dependent family members. Foreign nationals visiting Qatar must also have proof of health insurance coverage for the duration of their stay. Expatriates, and Qataris who have private insurance or are self-funding, can access healthcare in state-of-the-art private hospitals and clinics in Qatar.?

Innovation, Education and Research

As a part of Qatar’s drive to improve efficiency and patient outcomes, it is developing a fully integrated digitised health care system, with a unified electronic medical records system for both government and private hospitals, avoiding unnecessary repetition of medical tests and screening. The use of telemedicine is increasing, as well as mobile applications for accessing services, registering for a health card, managing appointments and obtaining medical report results. Qatar has invested in high tech medical technology such as robotic surgery.?

Innovation and research are supported, with initiatives like the Qatar Genome Programme and Qatar Biobank , as well as collaborations with renowned institutions such as Weill Cornell Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Imperial College London, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins Medicine and University College London. Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) offers a dedicated free zone for technology and innovation. In 2023, a survey by Brand Finance ranked five Qatar hospitals among the top-250 academic medical centres worldwide , with two in the top 100.

Advancing Cancer Treatment in Qatar?

Qatar already leads the world as the first country where suspected cancer patients receive secondary medical care from a specialist within 48 hours, a diagnosis within two weeks and treatment delivery within two more weeks . The Ministry of Public Health’s Qatar Cancer Plan 2023-26 aims to build on this record, with 23 strategic goals and 87 clear, tangible, and measurable deliverables across comprehensive cancer care services.

In conclusion

Qatar is continuously enhancing the quality of healthcare services available to citizens and residents by investing in state-of-the-art medical facilities, recruiting highly-qualified and skilled healthcare professionals, and implementing advanced technologies to improve patient care.

According to Numbeo’s 2024 Health Care Index , Qatar’s healthcare ranking has jumped two spots to 17th place out of 94 countries, and it is the only country in the region to feature in the top 20 list.?

What does the growth of Qatar’s healthcare sector mean for you?

As the Qatar healthcare sector continues to expand, highly qualified and experienced healthcare professionals are sought after to address gaps in the workforce. Western-trained doctors, especially those with advanced fellowships post-specialisation are sought after to bring new skills and techniques to the country.?

Contact Allocation Assist Middle East today to find out about opportunities in Qatar’s established and growing healthcare sector. https://www.allocationassist.com/

Reference:?

Qatar Health 2024 - Oxford Business Group:?

https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/reports/qatar/2024-report/health/shifting-focus-policy-updates-aim-to-galvanise-the-domestic-health-care-industry-and-attract-foreign-investment-overview/