Qatar has been investing heavily in its healthcare system to meet the needs of its citizens and residents through a modern and efficient public healthcare network. The healthcare system has been significantly expanded in recent years with a number of new facilities opened. The sector has completed its preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and has put in place a comprehensive plan for the tournament.
Led by the Ministry of Public Health, Hamad Medical Corporation and the Primary Health Care Corporation are the key components of this plan, while the Ministry is also collaborating with the World Health Organisation, wherein the disaster management experts from WHO have been working alongside experts from Qatar to support the development of response plans.
Qatar has hosted a number of mega sports events in recent years --- FIFA Club World Cup in 2019 and 2020, IAAF World Athletics Championships 2019, and the FIFA Arab Cup 2021--- where the health sector tested and fine-tuned its plans for the World Cup. Holding some of these tournaments safely amid the COVID-19 pandemic showed the success and effectiveness of health measures adopted by the authorities.
As part of the World Cup plans, the health authorities recently held a mass casualty simulation exercise to test major incident response plans. HMC’s Ambulance Service is a key part of the response plans. During the tournament, a mobile command unit and dedicated major incident response capability will be deployed at each of the stadiums on match days. The authorities will also deploy a major incident response vehicle at each stadium on match days, in addition to the command units. The response vehicle is equipped with all the resources needed to set up a temporary field treatment area if needed.
Apart from contingency plans, Qatar has also made arrangements to meet healthcare needs of around 1.2 million visitors it expects for the World Cup.
Authorities have announced that all Hayya card (fan ID) holders will have free access to emergency and urgent care services at all HMC facilities throughout the tournament. 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. A host of healthcare services will be provided in and around all World Cup-related events and locations. MoPH will also set up clinics at fan zones and villages, some of which will work 24/7.
