As part of a nationwide public healthcare awareness campaign led by the Ministry of Public Health, Primary Health Care Corporation, and Hamad Medical Corporation, PHCC is spotlighting the critical role of urgent care services in Qatar’s healthcare system. The initiative aims to help residents access the right care, in the right place, at the right time.Urgent care services are designed to support patients with urgent but non-life-threatening medical conditions, helping them access timely treatment in their community while supporting the efficient operation of hospital emergency departments. By strengthening public understanding of urgent care services, the campaign encourages informed decision-making and promotes the appropriate use of healthcare resources across the system.PHCC plays a central role in delivering urgent care across Qatar through a network of 14 health centres, with 15 soon to be operational, providing 24-hour urgent care services nationwide. These services are available to patients registered at any PHCC health centre and are delivered within the scope of primary care, ensuring accessible, safe, and high-quality care for urgent medical needs. As part of the continued expansion of services, Al Khor Health Centre will begin delivering urgent care services for both adults and paediatrics, effective 21 May 2026. In addition, paediatric urgent care services will be introduced at Rawdat Al Khail Health Centre from the same date.With this expansion, PHCC now operates adult urgent care services across 15 health centres: Al Kaaban, Gharafat Al Rayyan, Al Sheehaniya, Al Ruwais, Abu Baker Al Siddiq, Umm Slal, Muaither, Rawdat Al Khail, Al Mashaf, Al Sadd, Leabaib, Al Wajbah, Al Thumama, Al Karaana, and Al Khor, with services at Al Khor becoming effective from May 21.Paediatric urgent care services are currently available at 10 health centres, including Al Ruwais, Muaither, Umm Salal, Leabaib, Al Mashaf, Al Wajbah, Al Thumama, Al Sadd, Rawdat Al Khail, and Al Khor, with services at Rawdat Al Khail and Al Khor effective from May 21.PHCC urgent care units are equipped to assess and manage a wide range of non-life-threatening conditions, including minor burns, sprains, severe headaches or earaches, high fevers, dehydration, and dizziness. Where a patient presents with a condition requiring higher-level care, PHCC urgent care teams provide immediate stabilisation and co-ordinate a prompt ambulance transfer to secondary care facilities, ensuring continuity of care and patient safety.The availability of round-the-clock urgent care within PHCC health centres supports consistent access to medical services within the community and reduces unnecessary visits to hospital emergency departments for conditions that can be managed safely and effectively in a primary care setting. This approach improves patient flow across the healthcare system and allows emergency departments to remain focused on critical and life-saving cases.In addition to in-person services, PHCC offers an Urgent Consultation Service by telephone, available seven days a week from 7am to 11pm. By calling 16000, selecting PHCC, and choosing option 2, patients can speak to a clinician for guidance and advice on the most appropriate next steps for their condition, further supporting informed use of urgent and emergency care services. Between 11pm-7am, a nurse led telephone triage service operates daily to ensure continuous support. The service offers both routine and urgent medical consultations, as well as ophthalmology services, via telephone and video.HMC also provides support to the community of Qatar through an Urgent Care Consultation Service, which enables members of the public to speak directly with a physician by telephone. Available Sunday to Thursday from 8am to 3pm by calling 16000 and selecting option 3, the service helps guide patients to the appropriate specialty or level of care.Through this coordinated campaign, MoPH, HMC, and PHCC continue to reinforce the importance of understanding urgent care services, how to access them, and when to use them. Strengthening awareness of urgent care supports better patient experiences, enhances access to timely care within the community, and contributes to a more efficient and sustainable healthcare system for Qatar.Dr Samya Abdulla, assistant managing director – Operations and Clinical Affairs at PHCC, said:“Urgent care services are a vital part of our community-based healthcare model. Through PHCC’s 24-hour urgent care services across our health centres, we ensure patients with urgent but non-life-threatening conditions receive timely, high-quality care close to home. This supports better patient flow across the health system and allows emergency departments to focus on the most critical cases.” **media[449064]**
