Doha: The Ministry of Public Health has announced that visitors and fans from across the world coming for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 can access emergency and urgent medical services at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) facilities free of charge throughout the tournament. But the fans are recommended to have travel insurance coverage to seek care from private healthcare facilities.
Under the ‘Fan Health Information’ section of the Sport for Health website that Ministry launched today, it has said that to receive these services free of charge, fans must present their Hayya Card to the healthcare facility.
HMC’s Sheikha Aisha bint Hamad Al Attiyah Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital, Hamad General Hospital and Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital will be dedicated to care for Qatar 2022 fans and visitors.
“Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar’s main public sector provider of specialist healthcare services, operates the national Ambulance Service, providing emergency support for life-threatening medical incidents and transfer to an appropriate hospital emergency department.
“In the event of a medical emergency, you can request an ambulance by calling 999. Our operators will immediately dispatch an ambulance as well as provide life-saving pre-arrival instruction over the line, where required. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” said the Ministry.
“These urgent care units provide 24-hour walk-in care for patients with non-threatening medical needs, such as minor burns, sprains, severe headache or earache, high fever, dehydration and dizziness,” it added.
A total of 14 private hospitals and medical clinics across the country will provide emergency and urgent care services.
“Visitors coming to Qatar for the tournament can access medical care at any of the country’s private or public hospitals, medical centres, clinics and pharmacies,” said the Ministry.
“Please note that the Ministry of Public Health recommends visiting fans have travel insurance coverage (with healthcare cover) for the duration of their stay in the State of Qatar,” it added.
According to the Ministry, there are also a host of special healthcare services that will be open in and around all FIFA World Cup-related events and locations during the competition period.
For children, although a majority of public and private healthcare centres provide medical care for specialized emergency and urgent medical services, the Ministry has recommended HMC’s Pediatric Emergency Centres (PECs) or Sidra Medicine.
“These provide high-quality, safe and compassionate clinical care to children,” the Ministry has said.
