The challenge of getting your child vaccinated in Qatar...

Mission Vaccination!

3:30 pm- The H family leaves home. To Mesiameer Health Center (as planned)- their specified primary health center (as they have a government health card). Simple task- Get Z her 4 month vaccinations. Estimated time for entire task (including transit)- 1 hour.

4:00 pm- Enter Mesiameer Health center and find the “Well- baby clinic”

4:05 pm- Locate receptionist in black abaya, J whips out all of Z’s cards and documents (hospital records) and say she is due for her 4 month shots. Abaya aunty redirects J to not so friendly looking nurse- lady in pink

4:10 pm- Nurse lady in pink hears J out, shakes her head and says “ Sooory Madaaam, nu appointment for 3 months, kindly speak to reception”. Does not specify which reception (there are reception counters in every corridor and J had just spoken to the one in the clinic that they were in). Nurse leaves as she speaks.

4:15 pm- J stares at the wall in front of her. So lil Z will be atleast 7 months old when she gets her 4 months’ vaccinations. Okay. Information processed. Now, locate above mentioned “reception”.

4:15 pm to 4: 25 pm – J meanders along corridors looking for aforementioned elusive reception while Mr H and Z hang out at the “well baby” reception. J talks to help desk…is re –directed to another reception which actually turns out to be the “well baby reception”. How poetic. Life came full circle.

4:30 pm- Another nurse in pink- this time smiley and friendly looking, enters clinic. Mr H nudges J to follow her and explain predicament. J does so. Smiley nurse is kind. Speaks to J and explains politely that this is how things work in highly back-logged government health centers. Gives J the next earliest appointment. Writes it down on Z’s immunisation card. J thanks her in delight. Looks at the card. Appointment on 07/10/14. Blink. Blink. J has another open mouthed stare at the wall moment.

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