Are qataris see the same view as this lady?
Why Qataris can’t enjoy the benefits meant for them?
by MARIAM AL-SAAD
The number of expatriates exceeds the population of Qatari citizens exponentially, and the ratio remains the same in any place visited within the country. Citizens find themselves outnumbered in several situations, whether it is in clinics or schools. While these services are supposed to be directed by the state to its citizens, most Qataris do not enjoy these benefits because of over-crowding, and, of course, these public services are to be provided in equality to all, citizens and foreigners. Thus, the citizen does not truly feel the benefits or privileges of citizenship. Rather than waiting in long queues for public services, Qataris decide to purchase private healthcare or education, which negates the privileges allocated to each citizen.
This is certainly not an invitation for racism. As Qataris, we are proud that our country is among the most generous in the world, welcoming of incoming people, and respectful of others. These are not new ideals, as our elders appreciated simplicity and humility, not differentiating between the servants or workers, sharing with them food, clothing, and housing. Our elders had mercy in their hearts, and valued modesty, which broke barriers and enhanced solidarity with other people.
We as citizens do not want preferential treatment to others, even if it is our country, but we demand to truly enjoy the rights guaranteed to us in our Constitution, and not be denied them. That is what is happening now, as Qataris flee from the health centres that state spends millions on, going instead to private clinics. Crowds of both expatriates and citizens wait for hours for their turn to see doctors in public clinics, such as in Al Sadd Children’s Emergency Hospital.
....The state should broaden its capacity to provide equal high-quality services in healthcare, education, and the like for all. No one, neither Qataris nor expatriates, should be left to pay a fee for private clinics as long as the state provides suitable services. As the state grows, swells, and expands, services and facilities must accelerate at the same pace and match absorption capacity.
A potential solution is to allocate hospitals dedicated to expatriate industrial labourers.
Gratitude must be expressed toward these workers who give their health and energy to the State. Thanks to those driving construction trucks on the road, waiting in long queues, who we see on the right lanes of streets, coming from Samrah and Abu Hamour, or heading to the north or the south, in the most remote corners of the country. They are the driving force behind buildings and cities, tunnels, bridges, creating our young aspirations, working in the middle of the night in the streets. We see them in the streets, waiting to cross, braving the sun and heat at the height of summer, and through the cold wind and rain threatening their homes in the winter.
Thanks to those who work in large-scale projects dealing with risky work, and are exposed to sun stroke or death by suffocation within the tunnels, exposure to chemical gases. Thanks to those who are giving us their lives for little in return. Some say: giving them wages is a sufficient form of gratitude. Yet it is not. The wages are merely a few hundreds of riyals, and are barely given completely or on time.
Qatar’s government is charitable, donating for construction, reconstruction, and other assistance abroad, and while it is commendable to be humanitarian, we should also encourage these charities running campaigns to build schools, hospitals, and clinics for residents within the State.
Qatar is not only for its citizens. Qatar is for those who made their fingerprints into its development through their efforts.
http://www.pen.com.qa/perspective/index.php?ELEMENT_ID=25989
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The author is a brilliant observer of her home country. My opinion - If only all qataris are looking the same vision as this woman, Qatar would be a better place to live as expat.
Qatar likes to employ it's own people in the economy. Hence my ex employer was appointed deputy director of a major state service supplier in the seventies because he was the only qatari with a bachelor degree in the subject!
However, they could not supply enough such people and the rest of us were employed.
The problem now is that these guys sons/daughters expect the same treatment irrespective of their ability/work ethic etc.
I'm not sure I understand your post ejqatar, are you supporting a two tiered system where all nationals (regardless of their contribution, just based on nationality) get superior service and better health care as opposed to those expats who are making a significant contribution to the building and wealth of the country but without the "right" passport.
They should go to the back of the health care line? Please note, I am not saying that nationals do not make any contribution, I am saying there are lots of expats who do make contributions as well, can they not be treated well too?
I reiterate, the state's primary responsibility is to its citizens = no matter what. But not to the detriment of the health of workers who are doing the work that (a) there are insufficient nationals to do (b) that nationals do not want to do or (c) work that nationals are unqualified to do.
`Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"
as Ms. Miriam (thank you madame for this very heart warming message with your very keen observation. (nicq25 thank you for sharing) I, for one will not mind at all that a special number on government hospitals be given to all Qataris (immediate solution) nor for government to allocate hospitals to dedicated expat industrial laborers (long term plan) so that Qataris can fully appreciate what is TRULY meant for them. Hospitals should add more doctors and medical practitioners to hospitals especially during peak days because as Ms. Miriam mentioned, the ratio is increasing. Another suggestion of which is to open government hospitals even on weekends (if this may not be too much to consider) to accommodate expat laborers, minimizing the queues on ordinary days.
It sure is a price Qatar is charging itself, for its development.
Unfortunately here are only 2 avenues: limit development and therefore limit the number of expats or face the consequences (described in the above article).
and I hope the government would look into her concerns too.
almost or also straight arrow?
www.live365.com/stations/thevault85
I almost share this view
shared the same vision.
So basically she is pointing the finger of blame at the government for providing inadequate resources in the health and education sectors.
Most Qataris I know would never dare suggest that the government does not properly care for Qatari citizens.
It is their right as nationals - it is also their right as nationals to take up the jobs that expats perform as is done in nearly every other non-gcc country in the world.
Unfortunately, due to numbers, qualifications, and desire to do so, this has not been the case.
So the people that are 'imported' to do the work that cannot or will not be done by nationals are to be treated differently (ie as second class or worse) ?
They come here with the government's "blessing" because some nationals are unqualified or unwilling either to do the jobs expats do.
However, there is overt racism at play here and not necessarily in the original message - Family days being a real big one - don't want those expat fellows in the malls or on the Corniche etc. on Friday which is the only day they have off. While I can sympathize with those proponents of Family days, they usually don't have an alternative for the fellows looking to relax on Fridays (I guess they should just stay in their labour camps?)
I agree a government's resources should be directed at its citizens, however, if the government is relying on expats to help build the nation, those expats have to be looked after too.
Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"
Qoute.."We as citizens do not want preferential treatment to others, even if it is our country, but we demand to truly enjoy the rights guaranteed to us in our Constitution, and not be denied them"..unqoute
..... on the contrarry, I would understand the woes of qataris who feeled their rights have been taken or push away by such influx of expatriates who outnumbered them in many public and private places, and fully supported that a dedicated services place by allocated to them such as hospital,clinic, schools and their many preferences. This does not necessary means racist or segeration of society but again its their right as nationals.
Thank you for acknowledging that there are many lowly paid expats who are building your country's infrastructure, picking up everyone's trash and providing a myriad of services that (a) given the size of the national Qatari population it is not feasible for you to for yourselves and (b) I would venture to guess that most Qatari's that they are jobss they are not willing or in some cases qualified to do. Yet you want to seem to want to keep them away from Qataris. "..We as citizens do not want preferential treatment to others, even if it is our country, but we demand to truly enjoy the rights guaranteed to us in our Constitution, and not be denied them. That is what is happening now, as Qataris flee from the health centres that state spends millions on, going instead to private clinics. Crowds of both expatriates and citizens wait for hours for their turn to see doctors in public clinics, such as in Al Sadd Children’s Emergency Hospital.
....The state should broaden its capacity to provide equal high-quality services in healthcare, education, and the like for all. No one, neither Qataris nor expatriates, should be left to pay a fee for private clinics as long as the state provides suitable services. As the state grows, swells, and expands, services and facilities must accelerate at the same pace and match absorption capacity.
A potential solution is to allocate hospitals dedicated to expatriate industrial labourers.
I agree the state should expand services (especially health and welfare)- but not at the expense of those regarded as the "lowest" or least important members of society. That would be a two tiered system, where those with "wasta" get looked after first, regardless of need. They should expand services for everyone who contributes to the growth and productivity of Qatar. Unfortunately, this would exclude some Qataris (as it would in any society anywhere in the world).
It's not an easy issue to resolve, I hope the Qatari powers that be recognise everyone's contribution to society and provides services accordingly.
Signature line > "You can't fix stupid" `to
Al-saad Family have gave the society, three Qatari women intellects. Mariam , Nora & Sahla. Each one of them has her own ideology & writing style.
Unfortunately, not many Qataris share the view point of this article...
she sympathizes and appreciates the expats that are working for the development of the country and that is good. but she states irrelevant and contradictory facts and suggestions. for example :
for this problem :".... Crowds of both expatriates and citizens wait for hours for their turn to see doctors in public clinics, such as in Al Sadd Children’s Emergency Hospital"
she suggested the solution which is totally irrelevant : "..... A potential solution is to allocate hospitals dedicated to expatriate industrial labourers"
Labourers with salary of 600QR have their families in Qatar?
truly you see your country through your heart:)