Government Health Care in Doha
Government Health Care in Doha
I have been offered a job in Doha. The job has “Medical Coverage for employee, spouse, and Children under 18”. When I asked for more details regarding the medical coverage I was told that I would receive a “Government Medical Card” and that I would get services through the available government programs.
I would be moving to Doha from the United States along with a wife and 2 kids (2 years, and 4 months old).
I need to know how good are the government health services?
Are they up to western standards?
Would my kids be able to get all the vaccinations that they would get here in the US?
I would appreciate any help that you can offer.
Thanks
Government health services are stretched. The health centers that deal with people on a day-to-day basis for minor illnesses are really overloaded and not my idea of attentive medical care.
Dental is the same.
Emergency services are very good, especially for children.
Hamad Hospital, the only government hospital in the country, while well-equipped is badly over-loaded. There frequently aren't enough beds for inpatients.
Getting an appointment with a specialist at HMC can take up to 6 weeks, sometimes more.
Having said all this the government services aren't out to make a profit, unlike the private hospitals and clinics. This means that you don't have to do unnecessary tests, etc for the benefit of these private institutions.
Try to get private health insurance.
And they have the best of equipment.
The best thing is once you are through with registering your card you can speak in english with the Docs & Nurses & they understand.
This is one rare govt place where you are not asked "Why Mafi Arabi?" "I speak english, why you no speak Arabi?"
The medical services provided by government is not bad. Private hospitals and medical centers are not better then government ones.
This was just being discussed on another site as well -
http://www.expatwoman.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27390&highlight=health+care
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Vaccinations are no problem.
Gonernment health care is the one offered by HMC. It is a fairly good scheme offered at QR 100 per year. I have gone through 4 emergency surgeries there and still following up with the specilist in every 3 months. Imagine the cost for surgeries QR ZERO.
If government health care is what I think it is, it sucks! But before jumping to any conclusion you better wait to hear more informed opinions …