Doha: The State of Qatar has managed to build a world-class public healthcare system in recent years thanks to a multi-sectoral approach to health and well-being in the country. The state has invested significantly in enhancing the health and well-being of its population and achieving sustainability, guided by the wise vision of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and in pursuit of Qatar’s National Vision 2030.
As a result, Qatar became the first country where all its municipalities earned the title of “Healthy City” from the World Health Organization (WHO). Additionally, Qatar Foundation’s Education City was awarded the title of “Healthy Educational City,” and Qatar University was recognized as a “Healthy University.” Achieving this milestone required placing health as a priority for cities by promoting health, equity, and sustainable development. This pioneering approach was translated into initiatives, strategic policies, and best practices by prioritizing “Health in All Policies” in close collab
oration across various sectors of the state.
The healthcare system in Qatar has become distinguished and unique, earning global trust and reaching international standards. Qatar’s healthcare system revolves around the importance of comprehensive healthcare coverage for all members of society, improving the health of the Qatari community, meeting the needs of citizens, residents, and visitors alike, and elevating its services to the highest global standards to achieve Qatar’s National Vision 2030.
Regarding public healthcare facilities in the country, recent years have witnessed a qualitative leap with an increase in public healthcare facilities and a significant rise in competent healthcare and paramedical staff. By the end of 2023, the public sector had 19 hospitals and long-term care facilities, with the number of public health centers (including those under the Primary Health Care Corporation and those managed by the Qatar Red Crescent under an agreement with the Ministry of Public Health) reaching 35 ce
nters distributed across the state, including 6 health and wellness centers. The total workforce in the public healthcare sector amounted to 29,960 healthcare workers.
Conversely, Qatar also focused on encouraging investments in the private healthcare sector, which witnessed a qualitative leap. By the end of 2023, the private sector had 10 hospitals, 21 day surgery centers, 417 general and specialized health centers including dental centers, 319 diagnostic centers encompassing medical laboratories and diagnostic radiology centers, dental laboratories, and vision testing, along with 140 individual clinics and corporate clinics, 135 health and nursing agencies, and 1,251 primary healthcare units. The total workforce in the private healthcare sector amounted to 21,417 healthcare workers.
As a result of massive investments in the healthcare sector, Qatar’s average life expectancy has increased significantly, reaching 80.3 years in 2021, reflecting major improvements in the population’s health indicators.
Qatar
also achieved several national, regional, and international accomplishments in public health, including global accreditations in public health, performance, operations, patient safety, patient engagement programs, strategic guidance for future years, healthcare development, and public-private partnership programs.
HE Minister of Public Health Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari emphasized earlier this year that Qatar is proud to be the first country in the world where all its municipalities earned the title of “Healthy City” from the World Health Organization. Additionally, Qatar University was awarded the title of “Healthy University,” and the Education City by Qatar Foundation received the title of “Healthy Educational City.” These projects align with the priority of “Health in All Policies” in Qatar’s National Health Strategy (2018-2022), supporting the Healthy City program.
Five hospitals in Qatar were ranked among the top 250 academic medical centers globally. The Primary Health Care Corporation received Canad
ian accreditation according to Diamond Level Accreditation Standards. Moreover, the Qatar Red Crescent achieved platinum accreditation for all four healthcare centers it operates and manages under a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Public Health.
The Ministry of Public Health has received an award from the World Health Organization for World No Tobacco Day.
Source: Qatar News Agency