Travel is a part of life for most people in Qatar, especially if they are expats because, from time-to-time, they will go back home to visit family and friends, to visit different countries for business or for pleasure. Whatever the reason for travel, it’s important to keep in mind that different countries have different requirements in terms of vaccinations and prevalent medical conditions or diseases.
Since travel cannot be avoided, it is best to stay up-to-date about travel-related sicknesses and get detailed travel advice before you travel to a particular country so you can avoid any illnesses and medical complications while you are in a new country.
In Qatar, if you’re planning on visiting overseas countries where you will need vaccinations and, perhaps, other preventive measures, you can book an appointment at the dedicated and comprehensive Travel Clinic located at Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Communicable Diseases Centre (CDC).
The Travel Clinic which opened its doors in February 2017 helps people who are travelling out of Qatar by providing them vaccinations, medications, counselling and other necessary preventive measures depending on the country they are visiting. Qualified staff in the field of travel medicine run the clinic this first-of-its-kind Clinic service in Qatar
This one-stop shop/clinic also assesses and provides medical care to travellers who have returned from countries where they have ended up with travel-related infections.
The Travel Clinic sees those seeking travel vaccinations, medications and preventive advice three days a week: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Before visiting the Travel Clinic, travellers must make an appointment. It is better to get an appointment beforehand, that is preferably 4 - 6 weeks before the date you are planning on travelling on. The reason for this is that many vaccines require that much time to become effective and protect your body, and some may require 2 - 3 doses before they take effect.
When you have an appointment and visit the Travel Clinic, specialised physicians will do a thorough assessment of the traveller's physical and health condition along with asking about travel details. They also provide specific advice and counselling to travellers who plan to participate in activities like diving, mountain climbing, and going on cruises, etc.
The following are some of the things the Clinic and its physicians can help you with:
The Travel Clinic also provides counselling on various travel-related subjects like:
Depending on which country you are visiting overseas, the Travel Clinic can provide anti-Malaria drugs, diarrhea medications, medications needed for prevention of high-altitude sickness, Medications for motion sickness prevention, and more.
The Travel Clinic also provides diagnostic imaging and laboratory services if required.
The following vaccines are available at the Travel Clinic:
Please note that vaccines at the Travel Clinic are free for everyone, unless the required vaccine is highly specialized, e.g., Japanese Encephalitis.
Timings: Monday - 12 pm - 3 pm; Wednesday to Thursday: 8 am - 11 am
Location: HMC Communicable Disease Centre, Hamad bin Khalifa Medical City, Doha - Qatar
Tel: +974 4025 4003 (for further information and to make an appointment call between 7 am - 7 pm)
E-mail: [email protected]
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