Once you’ve been issued with your residency permit you can apply for a health card from the Health Card office at any Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) clinic or hospital.

You will need copies of your passport and visa.

You will need passport photos, officially two but it is advisable to take at least four. Tell the photographer what the photos are for so you can ensure you have the correct background colour required.

A fee of QR100 per card per person.

For children you will also need to bring valid birth and vaccination certificates.

The Health Card Office will inform you of where and when to pick up your card.

Renewal and replacement of health cards can be done online.

Full medical treatment is still available without a residence permit or health card but there will not be subsidised fees.

Presently primary health care centres in Qatar are divided into three regions, Central, Western and Northern. As well as having access to a General Practitioner (GP) primary health care facilities offer dental, antenatal care, vaccinations, pharmacies, well women’s clinics, audiology screening and laboratory work. There is a patient helpline Hayyak dial 107, that provides listings of what services are available at what clinics and timings. National networks of Walk-In Centres operate across Qatar to treat patients with minor injuries or illnesses.

The centres do not accept cash payments so it is vital to have a debit or credit card along with your health card, or purchase a specific debit card from Qatar National Bank.

Hamad Medical Corporation is the government-run, non profit public healthcare provider in Qatar, responsible for managing eight hospitals, the national Ambulance Service and Home Healthcare Sevice and community clinics responsible for all national Primary health care services.

HGH has both extensive inpatient and outpatient care, with more than 65 speciality clinics, a highly developed Emergency Department with a walk in clinic using a ‘see and treat’ approach to care.

The Trauma Centre established in 2007, is one of the first complete specialist centres outside of the US resulting in a 50% reduction deaths due to traumatic injuries since its inception.

The National Diabetes Centre offers all diabetes related services, including treatment, pharmacy, foot care, dieticians and educators.

The Women’s Hospital is responsible for the majority of births in Qatar, with an average of 44 per day. Newborn screening is offered free for all babies and Qatar is one of only four countries to offer screening for inherited diseases.

A comprehensive immunisation programme covers all vaccines needed in by infants in Qatar up to the age of 6 years.

Rumailah Hospital provides services to over six different sites in Doha, with both inpatient and outpatient departments. The site accommodates, dentistry, dermatology, plastic surgery, ENT, mental health departements, audiology, facilities for long-term care patients and the National Centre for Cancer Care and Research.

Al Khor hospital is responsible for providing comprehensive health care to residents in the north of Qatar.

Al Wakra Hospital the largest hospital building in Qatar, designed like a circular centrum with building attached like spokes on a wheel, serves the residents in the south of Qatar.

Situated in the west of Qatar, this public community hospital is serviced by over 450 health professionals provided by Cuba.

Qatari residents have access to ground-based paramedic units 24 hours per day, with aeromedical helicopters responding to emergencies outside of Doha. Any patients suffering heart attacks are treated directly at The Heart Hospital bypassing the emergency room procedures. The helicopter pilots are from the Qatar Emiri Air Force.

The introduction of medical insurance has led the development of private sector health care. These facilities have to adhere to national standards set by the SCH, but are not covered by the health card scheme so private health insurance is a must and you need to check with your insurance provider as to the type of coverage you are entitled to as it can vary considerably.

Currently there are four main private hospitals in Qatar; Al Ahli Hospital, Al Emadi Hospital, Doha Clinic and American Hospital.

Seha is the National Heatlh Insurance Scheme, presently provides mandatory health insurance coverage for all Qatari nationals. For more information check the website.

HMC does offer dental treatment at some of its health clinics as well as its main dentistry department at Rumailah Hospital. There are however numerous private dental surgeries in Qatar.

The Department for Animal Resources is a government run facility that operates a large veterinary clinic on Al Matar Street, with smaller branches in Al Rayyan and Al Shamal. They offer free vaccinations, neutering and microchipping. For further information call: 4456 0444 / 0435

There are a number of private vets operational throughout Qatar.