Fans and visitors coming to Qatar for the World Cup will have free-of-charge access to emergency and urgent care services at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) facilities throughout the tournament, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has announced.
Visitors, however, are recommended to have travel insurance coverage to seek care from private healthcare facilities. ‘Fan Health Information’ section of the 'Sport for Health' website the Ministry launched yesterday says fans will need their Hayya Card to receive free services at HMC facilities.
Visitors coming to Qatar for the tournament can access medical care at any of the private or public hospitals, medical centres, clinics and pharmacies.
HMC’s Sheikha Aisha bint Hamad Al Attiyah Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital, Hamad General Hospital and Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital will be dedicated to care for Qatar 2022 fans and visitors.
HMC’s Ambulance Service will be providing emergency support for life-threatening medical incidents and transfer to an appropriate hospital emergency department.
“In the event of a medical emergency, you can request an ambulance by calling 999. Our operators will immediately dispatch an ambulance as well as provide life-saving pre-arrival instruction over the line, where required. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” said the Ministry.
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.
A total of 14 private hospitals and medical clinics across the country will also provide emergency and urgent care services.
“Please note that the Ministry of Public Health recommends visiting fans have travel insurance coverage (with healthcare cover) for the duration of their stay in the State of Qatar,” it added.
For children, although a majority of public and private healthcare centres provide medical care for specialised emergency and urgent medical services, the Ministry has recommended HMC’s Pediatric Emergency Centres (PECs) or Sidra Medicine.
“These provide high-quality, safe and compassionate clinical care to children,” the Ministry has said. According to the Ministry, 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.
Clinics are located at FIFA Fan Festival, Corniche, Al Khor Fan Zone and Industrial Area fan Zone during the designated opening hours of each venue.
Clinics operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week are located at Barwa Madinatna Fan Village, Barahat Al Janoub Fan Village, Doha Port Grand Terminal — allocated to the Cruise Ship Floating Hotels.
