* MoPH lists five reasons to look forward to safe and healthy World Cup
More than 100 easily accessible medical clinics will be available at stadiums, fan zones and accommodation sites during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
This is one of the five reasons highlighted by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to look forward to a safe and healthy World Cup. It comes part of the 'Sport for Health' initiative, a partnership between the MoPH and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The other four reasons are:
* A world-class ambulance service and hospital system
* A comprehensive risk mitigation strategy for communicable diseases, food safety and more
* National event-based surveillance measures
* Local and international health experts working hand in hand
According to details available in the Fan Health Information section of the MoPH's 'Sport for Health' website, "Healthcare teams are on hand if you require urgent medical assistance at the stadiums, official fan zones and festivals, and fan accommodation."
Multiple clinics are located at the eight stadiums hosting World Cup matches with healthcare teams on hand on match days. The stadiums are Lusail Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, 974 Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Education City Stadium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium and Al Janoub Stadium.
Clinics will also be located at the following public fan zones and festivals during the designated opening hours of each venue: FIFA Fan Festival, Corniche, Al Khor Fan Zone and Industrial Area Fan Zone.
Clinics operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week will be located at the following Fan Accommodation sites: Barwa Madinatna Fan Village, Barahat Al Janoub Fan Village and Doha Port Grand Terminal – allocated to the Cruise Ship Floating Hotels.
Visitors coming to Qatar for the tournament can access medical care at any of the country’s private or public hospitals, medical centres, clinics and pharmacies.
In addition to these services at dedicated healthcare facilitates, there are also a host of special healthcare services that will be open in and around all FIFA World Cup-related events and locations during the competition period.
The MoPH recommends visiting fans have travel insurance coverage (with healthcare cover) for the duration of their stay in Qatar.
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) operates the national Ambulance Service, providing emergency support for life-threatening medical incidents and transfer to an appropriate hospital emergency department.
In the event of a medical emergency, one can request for an ambulance by calling 999. The operators will immediately dispatch an ambulance and provide life-saving pre-arrival instruction over the line, where required. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The website lists the healthcare facilities that fans with non-life-threatening, urgent medical conditions can visit.
These urgent care units provide 24-hour walk-in care for patients with non-threatening medical needs, such as minor burns, sprains, severe headache or earache, high fever, dehydration and dizziness.
* Private hospital or medical clinics - Qatar’s private healthcare sector operates multiple private hospitals and medical clinics across the country, providing high-quality emergency and urgent care services. The following private medical facilities provide emergency and urgent care services: Al Emadi Hospital, Doha Clinic Hospital, Al-Ahli Hospital, Naseem Al Rabeeh Medical Centre, Queen Hospital, Turkish Hospital, Rayhan Medical Complex, Dr Moopen's Aster Hospital, Sidra Medicine, West Bay Medicare, Al Wakra Clinics & Urgent Care Unit, Al Emadi Hospital Clinics – North WLL, and Aman Hospital.
Visiting fans who have private travel insurance with healthcare coverage should check with the private healthcare sector medical facilities for payment terms and conditions as per the insurance policy.
* Urgent Care Unit at one of the following HMC hospitals: Aisha Bint Hamad Al Attiyah Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital, Hamad General Hospital and Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital.
Visiting fans can access emergency and urgent medical services at HMC facilities free of charge throughout the tournament. To receive these services free of charge, fans must present their Hayya Card to the healthcare facility.
* Children - The majority of public and private healthcare centres can provide medical care to children. However, for specialised emergency and urgent medical services, the MoPH recommends Hamad Medical Corporation’s Paediatric Emergency Centres (PECs) or Sidra Medicine. These provide high-quality, safe and compassionate clinical care to children. The main PEC is located in Al Sadd and serves as a hub for the four other PECs in Qatar: Al Raayan, Al Shamal, Al Daayen and Airport.
Besides, HMC’s Urgent Consultation Service provides telephone consultation and medical support for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions. To access this service, call 16000, select the language, then press 3. The service operates from 7am to 3pm, seven days a week.
Qatar has hundreds of local pharmacies providing over-the-counter medication and basic healthcare advice for minor conditions, including colds, allergies, rashes and mild pains.
For a full list of pharmacies in Qatar, this link may be visited.
