To see a dermatologist in Qatar you have two main routes: the public system, where you book through your Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) health centre and are referred on to Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) if you need hospital care, or a private dermatology clinic, which you can usually book directly. Which one suits you depends on whether you hold a valid health card, what your insurance covers and whether your concern is medical or cosmetic.
The public route: PHCC first, then HMC if needed
Public healthcare in Qatar is organised in layers. PHCC runs the network of health centres that provide primary care, and HMC runs the hospitals that provide specialist and secondary care. For skin problems, PHCC is normally your starting point.
Step 1: Get a health card and register with your health centre
You need a valid health card to use PHCC services at public rates. According to PHCC, you can request a new card through the Nar’aakom app using your Tawtheeq (National Authentication System) login, and you need a Qatar ID valid for at least one year. The fee for expatriate residents has been QR100, paid at the health centre. Your card is linked to a designated health centre, which is assigned according to your residential address. Fees and requirements can change, so confirm them on the PHCC website before you apply.
If you are new to the country and still sorting out the basics, our guide to hospitals and the health card in Qatar explains how PHCC and HMC fit together.
Step 2: Book a dermatology or family physician appointment
PHCC runs a dermatology service of its own. Its service page says the clinic is for patients registered with PHCC, treats skin, hair and nail disorders in adults and children, and accepts both self-referral and referral from a family physician. It works on an appointment basis, with walk-ins for emergencies. Not every health centre hosts a dermatology clinic, so you may be booked into a different centre from your usual one.
Appointments are made through the Nar’aakom app or, at the time of writing, by calling PHCC on 107. If you are unsure whether your problem needs a dermatologist, booking your family physician first is sensible. Many common rashes, mild acne and fungal infections can be managed in primary care, and the doctor can refer you on if needed.
PHCC lists services at its dermatology clinics that include skin biopsies, cryotherapy (freezing) of lesions, phototherapy and minor procedures under local anaesthetic. Check the PHCC dermatology page for the current details.
Step 3: Referral to HMC for specialist hospital care
When a condition needs hospital-level care, the PHCC doctor refers you to HMC. HMC’s dermatology department covers areas such as psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, hair loss, skin infections, drug reactions, autoimmune skin disease and skin cancer, with services including biologic treatments, phototherapy, dermatological surgery and laser therapy for scarring and pigmentation.
In September 2026 HMC said its dermatology services run across several hospitals, including Rumailah, Al Khor, Aisha Bint Hamad Al Attiyah, Hazm Mebaireek General and Al Wakra hospitals, with phototherapy clinics at Hamad General Hospital. HMC also said that suspected skin cancer cases are referred for specialist assessment within 48 hours. You do not choose the hospital yourself; it follows from the referral.
The private route: dermatology clinics in Doha and beyond
Private clinics are the faster option for many residents, particularly those with private or employer insurance. You can usually book directly by phone, website or app without a referral from a GP.
That said, “no referral needed by the clinic” is not the same as “no referral needed by your insurer”. Some insurance policies ask for a GP referral or pre-approval before they will pay for a specialist visit, procedures or certain tests. Ring your insurer, or check your policy’s table of benefits, before you book anything beyond a basic consultation.
Private clinics vary a great deal. Some are general medical centres with a dermatologist on certain days; others focus on aesthetic treatments with medical dermatology as a side line. When you call, ask:
- Is the doctor a specialist dermatologist, and what is their full name (so you can check the licence)?
- What is the consultation fee, and does it include a follow-up within a set period?
- Does the clinic deal directly with your insurer, or will you pay and claim back?
- Are tests such as biopsies sent to a lab, and are they billed separately?
Consultation fees vary widely between clinics and change over time, so we have not quoted figures here. Ask for the price before your visit. If you want to compare options, you can browse dermatology clinics in Qatar in our directory, then check each doctor’s licence before booking.
Public or private: a quick comparison
| Public (PHCC and HMC) | Private clinic | |
|---|---|---|
| What you need | Valid health card, registration with your health centre | Usually just ID and insurance card, if using insurance |
| Referral | PHCC dermatology accepts self-referral; HMC needs a referral | Usually not required by the clinic; your insurer may require one |
| Waiting time | Can be longer for non-urgent cases | Often quicker |
| Cosmetic treatments | Focus is on medical conditions | Widely offered, usually self-funded |
| Cost | Public rates for health card holders | Set by the clinic; check what insurance pays |
Insurance: what is usually covered and what is not
Under Law No. 22 of 2021, health insurance is mandatory for expatriate residents and visitors, and employers must provide basic cover for their staff. The basic package covers preventive, curative and rehabilitative services, and employers may buy additional cover on top. The details of what each policy pays for sit in your own policy documents, not in a single public list.
As a general rule, treatment for a diagnosed medical skin condition, such as eczema, psoriasis, an infection or a suspicious mole, is far more likely to be covered than treatment done for appearance. Procedures such as anti-wrinkle injections, fillers, laser hair removal, cosmetic peels and skin rejuvenation are commonly excluded as cosmetic. Some treatments fall in a grey area: acne scarring, pigmentation or hair loss may be covered under one policy and excluded under another. Ask the clinic to confirm with your insurer in writing before you start a course of treatment.
Visitors’ policies are generally geared towards emergencies and accidents, so a routine dermatology appointment is likely to be self-funded.
How to check that a dermatologist and clinic are licensed
Every doctor and healthcare facility in Qatar must be licensed by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH). The ministry’s Department of Healthcare Professions handles practitioner licensing, and MOPH offers an online service, referred to in its public statements as “Search for Registered Healthcare Practitioner”, on the MOPH website. You can use it to confirm that the person treating you holds a valid licence.
This matters most for cosmetic treatments. In January 2026 MOPH announced that five unlicensed individuals had been caught carrying out specialised cosmetic medical procedures in a beauty salon, and urged the public to use only licensed facilities and practitioners. A salon, spa or home visit offering injections is a red flag, whatever the price.
Medical vs cosmetic dermatology
Medical dermatology deals with disease: rashes, infections, chronic conditions, hair and nail disorders, and checking moles and lesions. Cosmetic or aesthetic dermatology deals with appearance: wrinkles, volume loss, unwanted hair, pigmentation and skin texture.
MOPH’s Department of Healthcare Professions publishes a scope of practice for aesthetic medicine. It lists treatments such as botulinum toxin injections, dermal fillers, laser hair removal and laser resurfacing, chemical peels and microneedling as aesthetic procedures for licensed physicians with specified training, such as a dermatology or plastic surgery background plus aesthetic training, or a dedicated aesthetic medicine programme. Surgical procedures such as facelifts and liposuction fall outside that scope. The detail is set by MOPH and can be updated, so treat this as a summary and check the current rules if it affects you.
In practical terms: injections and medical-grade lasers belong in a licensed medical facility, performed by or under the supervision of a licensed doctor. Spas and salons are fine for relaxation and beauty treatments, and you will find them in our spa directory, but they are not the place for injectables.
Skin issues people commonly raise in Qatar’s climate
Qatar’s long, hot summers and heavy use of air conditioning affect skin in ways that many new arrivals notice. The following are general observations from Qatar’s health providers, not a diagnosis. If something is persistent, painful, spreading or worrying you, see a doctor.
- Sun exposure. HMC advises avoiding prolonged, direct sun exposure, and a PHCC dermatologist has advised sunscreen, protective hats and avoiding direct sun during the middle of the day when the sun is strongest.
- Heat rash. PHCC has suggested light cotton clothing, good ventilation and avoiding high temperatures to reduce the risk.
- Dryness. HMC has stressed keeping skin hydrated in summer. Many people find that long hours in air-conditioned rooms leave skin feeling tight, and regular moisturising helps.
- Flare-ups of existing conditions. An HMC specialist has noted that summer heat and sweating can make eczema itchier and more inflamed.
- Fungal infections. PHCC has highlighted fungal skin infections linked to crowded or poorly maintained swimming pools.
Any new, changing or bleeding mole or skin lesion should be checked by a doctor promptly rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
What to bring to your first appointment
- Your Qatar ID (or passport if you are a visitor) and health card or insurance card.
- Any referral letter or approval from your insurer, if required.
- A list of the medicines, creams and supplements you use, including anything bought over the counter.
- Photos of the problem if it comes and goes, such as a rash that has faded by the day of the visit.
- Previous test results or reports, especially from treatment abroad.
- A short note of when the problem started, what makes it better or worse, and what you have already tried.
Arrive without make-up if the concern is on your face, and without nail polish if it involves your nails, so the doctor can see the skin clearly. If you are given a prescription, our guide to pharmacies in Qatar covers how prescriptions and pharmacies work here.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Booking privately and assuming insurance will pay. Check referral and pre-approval rules first, especially for procedures.
- Letting your health card lapse. Without a valid card you lose access to PHCC at public rates. Renew it before you need it.
- Having injections outside a licensed clinic. MOPH has taken action against unlicensed cosmetic providers. Check the practitioner’s licence.
- Using strong creams without advice. Some products bought online or carried from abroad contain ingredients that should only be used under medical supervision. Show them to your doctor or pharmacist.
- Waiting too long with a changing mole. Early assessment makes a difference, and the public system fast-tracks suspected skin cancer.
- Not asking for the total cost. Consultation, tests and procedures may be billed separately. Ask for an estimate upfront.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to see a dermatologist in Qatar?
For HMC, yes: you are referred from primary care. PHCC’s own dermatology service accepts self-referral for registered patients. Private clinics usually let you book directly, but your insurer may require a referral or pre-approval.
Can visitors see a dermatologist?
Yes, at private clinics. Visitors’ mandatory insurance is aimed at emergencies and accidents, so expect to pay for a routine visit yourself.
How do I know a clinic is legitimate?
Check the practitioner through the MOPH online search for registered healthcare practitioners, and make sure injectables and medical lasers are carried out in a licensed medical facility.
