Qatar has an incredibly well-developed medical infrastructure and the standards of healthcare in the country are very high. The country’s medical facilities – public and private clinics and hospitals – are all modern, hi-tech and easily accessible for residents and expatriates alike. Everyone is able to avail themselves of the health services that are financed by public money, and access is open to all, for people of all nationalities. The system comprises state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained professional staff, who operate within a nationwide system of hospitals and healthcare clinics.
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is the main provider of secondary and tertiary healthcare in Qatar and one of the leading hospital providers in the Middle East. Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), meanwhile, operates and manages the different Health Centers across the state of Qatar. In order to receive treatment from any of HMC’s healthcare facilities or hospitals, you must first apply for and acquire a Hamad Health Card.
You will need the following documents to acquire a health card as mentioned on the Hamad Medical Corporation Website.
Qatari Adults: Copies of your passport or ID, a passport-size photograph (4cm X 3cm).
Qatari Children: Birth certificate with Qatar personal identity number or passport, passport-size photograph, vaccination card (for the first-time issue).
GCC National Adult Residents: Copy of passport or ID with Qatar personal identity number, a passport-size photograph, your old health card (in case of renewals).
GCC National Child Residents: Birth certificate or passport with Qatar personal identity number, one passport-size photograph, vaccination card (for first-time issue for children born in Qatar), old health card (in case of renewals).
Adult Residents: Valid QID or passport with valid residence permit, a passport-size photograph.
Children: Passport, with a valid residence permit, a passport-size photograph, vaccination card (for first-time issue and for those born in Qatar, or who have had their vaccinations done in Qatar).
Domestic Staff: Valid passport with a valid residence permit, a passport-size photograph, original QID of your sponsor (as for professions approved by the MoI for personal sponsorship)
All: A copy of a utility bill (phone, water/electricity), a housing contract that confirms your address.
You must pay by credit card. No cash is accepted. The health center will either issue your card immediately or ask you to come back within a few days to collect it.
To get a health card, you must visit the Primary Health Center nearest to where you live – call 107 if you are unsure where your local center is – and bring with you the above documents according to your needs.
Check the updated list of Primary Health Care Corporation health centers here.
At the health center, you need to fill out the appropriate forms. You will be issued a PHCC health file number. The health center will either issue you with your card immediately or ask you to return to collect it.
Note: Health cards are issued during morning working hours only.
With the new Nar'aakom app, people can now also apply for a health card online. The app is available for download on iPhone and Android smartphones. You can log in using the National Authentication System (Tawtheeq).
Click the "E-Services" tab on the bottom menu and choose "Apply for Health Card." Fill up the necessary info and upload the required documents.
READ ALSO: A guide on how to use the new PHCC app: Nar'aakom
In the unfortunate event that you have lost your health card, remember that it may still be valid. The only stipulation for Qatari nationals is that you should pay QR 50 for a replacement card. Non-Qatari residents need to pay QR 100.
If you lose your health card and it has expired, Qatari nationals need to pay QR 100 for a replacement, while non-Qataris have to pay QR 200 for a replacement.
The validity of the health card is one year for expats. The new expiry date will not be reflected on your old health card as you won't be issued a new card. You can check the expiry date of your health card through the Nar'aakom mobile app.
Follow these steps to renew or replace your Health Card through Hukoomi:
The cost of Health Card renewal is QR50 for citizens for five years and QR100 for residents for one year. Collecting the Card from Health Card Workshop, villa # 20 near to Women Hospital is free. Collecting it from a post office costs an additional QR10, while personal delivery costs QR 20. Notification by SMS is free.
To renew your health card online, click here.
Hamad Medical Corporation
Primary Health Care Corporation
Did this article help you to find out how to acquire a Hamad Health Card? Let us know in the comments section below. And forget to like and share this article to allow others to stay informed!
(Cover Image credit: Hamad Medical Corporation )
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