Hospitals in Qatar fall into two groups: public hospitals run mainly by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), with Sidra Medicine for women and children, and a growing number of private hospitals that are usually paid for through insurance or out of pocket. For most residents, the normal route into the system is a Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) health centre, while emergencies go straight to an HMC emergency department or a paediatric emergency centre. This guide explains how it all fits together, what the health card gives you, and when people choose private care.
Please note: this article is general information, not medical advice, and details can change. In a medical emergency, call 999 for an ambulance.
How healthcare in Qatar is organised
Qatar’s public healthcare has three main parts, overseen by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).
Primary care: PHCC health centres
The Primary Health Care Corporation runs a network of health centres across the country. The Peninsula reported 31 centres at the time of writing, offering family medicine, dental care, dietetics, screening, vaccinations and more. Your health centre is assigned according to your registered home address, and it is meant to be your first point of contact for non-emergency problems. If you need a specialist, your PHCC doctor sends an electronic referral to HMC.
Hospital care: Hamad Medical Corporation
HMC is the main public provider of secondary and specialist care. According to its website, its hospitals include:
- Doha: Hamad General Hospital, Heart Hospital, Rumailah Hospital, Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, Women’s Wellness and Research Center, and the National Center for Cancer Care and Research
- North: Al Khor Hospital and Aisha Bint Hamad Al Attiyah Hospital
- South: Al Wakra Hospital, Mesaieed General Hospital and the Al Maha Specialized Care Center
- West: The Cuban Hospital
HMC also runs specialist centres such as the Ambulatory Care Center, the Bone and Joint Center, Hamad Dental Center and Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, plus the national ambulance service.
Sidra Medicine
Sidra Medicine is a specialist hospital for women and children. Its emergency department treats children and young people from birth to 18 years old, around the clock. It is not an emergency department for adults.
Emergency care in Doha and across Qatar
For anything life-threatening, call 999. The ambulance service will take the patient to the most suitable emergency department. HMC lists emergency departments at:
- Hamad General Hospital (Trauma and Emergency Center)
- Al Wakra Hospital
- The Cuban Hospital
- Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital
- Aisha Bint Hamad Al Attiyah Hospital
- Women’s Wellness and Research Center (obstetric and gynaecological emergencies only)
Children’s emergencies
HMC runs five Paediatric Emergency Centres that open 24 hours a day, seven days a week: Al Sadd (C Ring Road), Al Daayen (Al Khor Road), Al Rayyan (Al Fourousiya Street), Airport (Matar Qadeem) and Al Shamal (Al Ruwais). Sidra Medicine’s emergency department also sees children up to 18, and Sidra runs a separate urgent care clinic with shorter hours. Check each provider’s website for current opening times before you travel.
Emergency department or urgent care?
HMC advises using an emergency department for serious or potentially life-threatening problems such as chest pain, stroke symptoms, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, seizures or a severe allergic reaction. For non-critical problems such as mild respiratory symptoms, urinary infections, sprains or minor burns, PHCC urgent care units are a better fit. HMC’s site mentions 11 PHCC urgent care units, six of which also treat children, at the time of writing. Choosing the right option usually means you are seen faster.
The health card: what it is and what it gives you
The health card, issued by PHCC, is what links a resident to the public system. It registers you with a health centre and gives you access to public healthcare at subsidised rates, including PHCC centres and HMC services through the referral system.
How to get or renew one
- You need a valid Qatar ID (QID) with at least one year of validity remaining, and a National Authentication System (Tawtheeq) login.
- Apply for yourself and your dependants through the Nar’aakom app (iPhone and Android).
- PHCC lists the fee as QR 100, paid at your health centre when you collect the card (at the time of writing).
- You collect the card at the health centre assigned to your address. You cannot simply choose any centre.
Nar’aakom also shows your card’s expiry date, lets you renew online, and shows your assigned health centre and family physician. Many newcomers apply for the health card straight after receiving their QID; it is worth adding to your moving to Qatar checklist.
Private hospitals in Qatar and when people use them
Qatar also has a number of private hospitals and many private medical centres, mostly in Doha. Well-known examples include Al Ahli Hospital, Al Emadi Hospital and Doha Clinic Hospital, among others. They offer outpatient clinics, inpatient care, maternity services and, in some cases, emergency departments. You can browse private and public providers in our directory of hospitals in Qatar.
Common reasons residents choose a private hospital:
- Insurance: many employers provide private medical insurance, which is usually accepted at a list of private hospitals and clinics (the insurer’s “network”).
- Waiting times: private outpatient appointments are often available sooner, and you can usually book a specialist directly without a PHCC referral.
- Choice: you can pick a specific doctor, language or hospital close to home or work.
- Visitors: people without a health card often use private facilities for non-emergency care.
Before you book, check:
- That the hospital or clinic is in your insurance network and whether you need pre-approval.
- Your co-payment or deductible, and any limits on consultations, tests or medicines.
- Whether the hospital has a 24-hour emergency department, if that matters to you.
- The consultation price if you are paying yourself; ask before you are seen.
For specific specialties, it is often simpler to go to a dedicated clinic. See our listings of dermatology clinics in Qatar, physiotherapy in Qatar, and our guide to choosing a dentist in Qatar.
Mandatory health insurance: what it means for you
Law No. 22 of 2021 created a mandatory health insurance system for expatriate residents and visitors. It is being introduced in phases:
- Visitors: the visitor phase started on 1 February 2023. Visitors need health insurance covering emergency and accident care, with the premium reported as QR 50 per month at the time of writing. Check the requirement for your visa type before travelling.
- Residents: the law places responsibility on employers and sponsors to provide cover for expatriate employees and, in many cases, their families. However, reporting in 2026 describes implementation for residents as phased, and the exact rules and timelines depend on official MoPH announcements.
In practice, ask your employer’s HR team in writing what your policy covers, which hospitals are in the network, and whether dependants are included. Do not assume your QID or work contract alone proves you are insured. For the latest official position, check the MoPH website or Hukoomi.
How to book appointments
PHCC health centres
- Nar’aakom app: book, change or cancel appointments for yourself and dependants in clinics such as family medicine, dental, dietetics and screening.
- 107 hotline: PHCC’s unified line for appointments and guidance, available in five languages according to The Peninsula.
HMC specialist appointments
- Most HMC outpatient appointments start with a referral. Referrals from PHCC are sent electronically and processed automatically.
- If a private doctor refers you, you can upload the referral through HMC’s Nesma’ak patient portal. HMC then schedules the appointment and notifies you by SMS.
- The Nesma’ak hotline 16060 runs 24/7 for changing or cancelling HMC appointments.
Private hospitals
Private hospitals usually take bookings by phone, WhatsApp, their own website or app, or walk-in. Use our hospital listings to find contact details and locations.
What to bring to an appointment
- Your QID (or passport if you are a visitor)
- Your health card for public facilities
- Your insurance card and any pre-approval for private facilities
- Referral letters, previous reports, scans and test results
- A list of the medicines you take, with doses
- For children: their QID, health card and vaccination record
- A way to pay for any fees or co-payments
Pharmacies and prescriptions
Public health centres and HMC hospitals have their own pharmacies for prescriptions issued there. Private prescriptions are filled at community pharmacies, many of which open late or around the clock. Some medicines that are sold over the counter elsewhere need a prescription in Qatar, so bring the original prescription if you are travelling with medication. Our guide to pharmacies in Qatar covers opening hours, prescriptions and what to check.
Public vs private hospitals in Qatar: a comparison
| Point | Public (PHCC, HMC, Sidra) | Private hospitals and clinics |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Health card with subsidised fees; emergency care available to everyone | Insurance or self-pay; co-payments common |
| Access | Start at your assigned PHCC centre; referral for most HMC specialists | Book specialists directly in most cases |
| Waiting times | Can be longer for non-urgent specialist care | Often shorter, varies by provider |
| Emergencies | HMC emergency departments and 24/7 paediatric emergency centres; 999 ambulance | Some have 24-hour emergency units; serious cases may be transferred |
| Specialist and complex care | Trauma, cancer, heart and other national specialist services | Wide range of specialties; varies by hospital |
| Choice of doctor | Limited; assigned family physician | Usually free choice within your network |
Quick checklist
- Save 999 in your phone for emergencies.
- Apply for your health card on Nar’aakom once you have your QID.
- Find out which PHCC health centre you are assigned to.
- Ask HR, in writing, for your insurance details and hospital network.
- Note the nearest emergency department and paediatric emergency centre to your home.
- Save PHCC 107 and HMC Nesma’ak 16060 for appointments.
- Keep copies of medical reports and a medication list.
- Visitors: confirm you have the required health insurance before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
Which hospital should I go to in an emergency in Doha?
Call 999 and the ambulance service will take you to the appropriate emergency department. If you go yourself, HMC emergency departments include Hamad General Hospital and Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital in the Doha area. Children can go to an HMC Paediatric Emergency Centre or Sidra Medicine’s emergency department.
Do I need a health card to use public hospitals in Qatar?
Residents use the PHCC health card to register with a health centre and access public care at subsidised rates. Emergency care is provided regardless, but fees may apply if you do not hold a valid card or insurance.
Can I see an HMC specialist without a referral?
Most HMC outpatient appointments need a referral, either from your PHCC doctor or from a private doctor uploaded through the Nesma’ak portal. Emergency care does not need a referral.
Is health insurance mandatory in Qatar?
Law No. 22 of 2021 makes health insurance mandatory for expatriates and visitors, introduced in phases. The visitor phase has applied since February 2023. For residents, check with your employer and the Ministry of Public Health for the current rules.
Are private hospitals better than public hospitals in Qatar?
Not necessarily. Public hospitals provide the national trauma, cancer and heart services, while private hospitals often offer shorter waits and more choice. The right option depends on your insurance, how urgent the problem is and the specialty you need.
