With the FIFA World Cup 2022 just around the corner, the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar is ready to look out for the health and security of the fans arriving in Qatar!

RELATED: MOPH and WHO prepare a wide range of public health measures during the World Cup 2022

5 reasons to look forward to a safe and healthy World Cup (1/2)#Sport4Health pic.twitter.com/AjHggIraj5

— وزارة الصحة العامة (@MOPHQatar) September 27, 2022

In this article, the ILoveQatar.net (ILQ) team lists the services available to fans during the FIFA World Cup 2022, such as key emergency and urgent healthcare services, public hospitals, medical centres, and more.

Note: As per the ministry, visiting fans are still recommended to have travel insurance coverage (with healthcare cover) for their stay in Qatar.

Pre-travel advice

Before travelling to Qatar, the Ministry of Public Health advises visiting fans on health-related tips to ensure a safe and secure trip during the tournament.

Below are the recommendations from the ministry:

• The ministry recommends that all visitors to Qatar are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before arrival, including all booster dose/s for which they are eligible.
• The ministry recommends that all visitors to Qatar receive their seasonal influenza vaccination before arrival.
• The ministry recommends visitors have a routine health check (including dental check-up) with a medical professional within 6 weeks before travelling to Qatar to help identify any underlying health issues.
• The ministry recommends that visitors bring adequate supplies of prescription medication to cover their period of stay.
• Make sure you know your blood group, write it down on a document, and keep it safe with other health documents if needed.
• Visitors who wear glasses are advised to bring at least two pairs of glasses, just in case one pair gets lost or damaged.

Healthcare services

In a medical emergency, the ministry advises calling 999 for an ambulance. The hotline is available 24/7.

For non-life threatening, urgent medical conditions

Visitors needing urgent medical attention are advised to proceed to any public or private hospitals in Qatar. The Ministry of Public Health has listed hospitals available 24 hours for walk-in patients with non-threatening medical needs.

Public Hospitals

Visiting fans can access emergency and urgent medical services at the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) facilities free of charge throughout the tournament. They may receive these services free by presenting their Hayya Card to the healthcare facility.

• Aisha bint Hamad Al Attiyah Hospital
• Al Wakra Hospital
• Hamad General Hospital
• Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital

Most of the hospitals in Qatar offer pediatric care; however, the ministry recommends HMC's Pediatric Emergency Centres (PECs) or Sidra Medicine for any urgent medical care for children.

The following are the PECs across Qatar:

• ​PEC Al Sadd (main hub)
• PEC Al Rayaan
• PEC Al Shamal
• PEC Al Daayen
• PEC Airport

Private Hospitals

There are a number of private hospitals in Qatar that also provides high-quality emergency and urgent medical care services.

The ministry notes that fans with health coverage in their travel insurance should check with these medical facilities for payment terms and conditions.

Below are the private hospitals that offer emergency and urgent medical care services:

• Al Emadi Hospital
• Doha Clinic Hospital
• Al Ahli Hospital
• Naseem Al Rabeeh Medical Center
• 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 W.L.L​
• ​Aman Hospital

Stadiums, Fan Zones, Fan Festivals and Fan Accommodation

In the Stadiums, Fan Zones, Fan Festivals, and Fan Accommodations, the ministry has deployed healthcare teams equipped and ready to attend to any urgent medical needs.

Aside from the 8 stadiums, there will be clinics in the following areas.

Fan zones and festivals during the designated opening hours of each venue:

• ​FIFA Fan Festival
• ​Corniche
• Al Khor Fan Zone
• Industrial Area fan Zone

Fan Accommodation sites (open 24/7):

• Barwa Madinatna Fan Village
• Barahat Al Janoub Fan Village
• Doha Port Grand Terminal – allocated to the Cruise Ship Floating Hotels

RELATED: 100 clinics to be provided for all 8 World Cup stadiums

Medical Hotline

Apart from dialling 999 for an ambulance, HMC also offers a medical hotline that can address your medical concerns. A hotline is also available for urgent, non-life-threatening concerns you can reach through 16000.

You may also reach this helpline for any mental health concerns, including stress, anxiety and other emotional distress. This service is available from 7 am to 3 pm daily.

Pharmacies in Qatar

There are a number of pharmacies in Qatar where you can receive the medication you need. Apart from pharmacies within hospitals, there are ones you can easily find in your vicinity, shopping centers and malls.

To find the right pharmacy you can visit, you may click any of the following:

• Find a pharmacy near your location
• Pharmacies open 24/7
• Pharmacies that deliver

Are you coming to Qatar for the World Cup? Make sure to bookmark this article. Do share this article too - it keeps us going!

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Tracy Quirino

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