Qatar has come a long way in terms of development as a country. The main resource being oil, which helped the economy to flourish, is now significantly advancing the healthcare system to aim to make major developments in medical tourism and develop its global position in precision medicine.  To achieve these goals, the Qatar government has initiated several programs. This blog aims to provide a clear understanding of the health care system in Qatar, from its historical roots to its current structure and future development plans, and the economic opportunities it presents.

Evolution of Healthcare System in Qatar

Qatar healthcare system has gone significant changes over the years. Evolving from traditional methods to the highly advanced network of medical facilities you see now.

Traditional Medicine: Before oil discovery, Qatar’s healthcare relied on traditional practices. Barbers performed minor procedures like circumcisions, while herbalists provided natural remedies. Common treatments were cauterization and cupping therapy, showing the limited medical resources available. ​

First Hospital (1947): A big shift occurred in 1947 with the opening of Qatar’s first hospital—a 12-bed facility staffed by a single doctor from the American Mission. This marked the transition from traditional to formal medical care. ​

Al Rumailah Hospital (1957): In 1957, the government inaugurated Al Rumailah Hospital, further establishing the foundation of Qatar’s modern healthcare infrastructure.

Hamad General Hospital (1982): the inauguration of Hamad set the next significant shift milestone in Qatar’s healthcare journey. It became of the first hospitals to offer complete medical services, setting the stage for a modern healthcare system in qatar.
Expansion of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC): Over the years, HMC has grown into a network of 12 hospitals, including specialized facilities like Sidra Medicine and Heart Hospital. This expansion shows Qatar’s commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of its growing population

Early Governance & Vision:As the healthcare landscape began to evolve, the Qatari government recognized the need for centralized oversight. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) was established in 1971 with the responsibility of setting national health policies, regulating services, and ensuring quality standards. This marked a strategic step toward building a unified healthcare system, aligning with the nation’s broader vision of modernization and public welfare.

Current structure of Qatar’s healthcare system

Qatar’s healthcare system is now a mix of public and private sectors with government playing a main role in providing and regulating healthcare services to both citizens and expatriates. The public sector covers ~80% of healthcare, while the private sector accounts for ~20% and is growing. Now lets get into the current structure Qatar’s healthcare system.

Public Healthcare

This is the main player in Qatar’s healthcare system. It offers free or low-cost care to Qatari citizens and subsidized services to expats. The best part? It covers everything from basic check-ups to complicated surgeries. Public care is funded through government budgets and the Seha national health insurance scheme, which helps cover about 80% of the total care provided in the country.

The system is always improving, with ongoing efforts to expand services, open new facilities, and bring in advanced technologies.

Private Healthcare

The private healthcare sector is growing quickly and plays a key role in supporting the public system. It’s known for shorter wait times, more flexibility in appointments, and a wider range of specialized clinics and hospitals, which makes it a popular choice among expats.

Private healthcare in Qatar usually operates on a fee-for-service model or through employer-sponsored insurance plans. As more people move to Qatar and look for fast, high-quality services, the government is encouraging private healthcare companies to set up and grow — creating new opportunities in the market.

Key Healthcare Provider in Qatar

Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC): This is the main public healthcare provider in Qatar. They run 12 hospitals, including some really specialized ones. They’ve got international accreditations, which basically means they’re top-notch. They keep expanding to keep up with Qatar’s growing population.

Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC): These guys handle the basic healthcare needs. They’ve got health centers all over the country. They focus a lot on preventing diseases and teaching people about health. If you need more specialized care, they’ll smoothly refer you to HMC.
All these parts working together make up Qatar’s healthcare system. It’s designed to make sure everyone in Qatar, whether they’re citizens or expats, can get good quality healthcare when they need it.

Levels of Care in Qatar

Qatar’s healthcare services are organized into clear levels of care to make sure patients get the right treatment at the right time.

• Primary Care: This is handled by the PHCC network, which operates over 30 health centers across Qatar. These centers are the first point of contact for most people and handle routine check-ups, vaccinations, chronic disease monitoring, and general health concerns.
• Secondary and Tertiary Care: This level is managed by HMC’s 12 hospitals, which provide more advanced medical services, surgeries, and specialist consultations.
• Specialty Care: Qatar also has world-class centers of excellence focused on specific areas such as cancer, heart disease, women’s health, and diabetes. These include facilities like the National Center for Cancer Care and Research and the Heart Hospital — offering advanced treatments and expert care in their fields.

Qatar’s Healthcare Workforce: Numbers & Training

Qatar’s healthcare system relies heavily on a strong workforce—and it’s growing fast.

• Nearly 53,000 registered healthcare professionals work in Qatar, with 61% of them being women, and 37% of doctors today are female .
• The total number of health workers (public + private) reached around 51,400 by end-2023—with approximately 29,960 in public facilities and 21,417 in private settings

Workforce Density (2024 estimates)

• Physicians: 3.4 per 1,000 people
• Nurses: 7.5 per 1,000 people — among the highest ratios in the GCC

Qatarization Goals

Qatar is actively working to increase national representation in healthcare roles:

• In 2020, only 6.3% of physicians, 1.7% of pharmacists, and 0.9% of nurses were Qatari nationals
• Ongoing efforts aim to boost these numbers significantly to enhance local workforce participation.

Training & Professional Development

• Qatar has two medical schools (Qatar University and Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar) along with structured family medicine residencies and continuing education programs
• HMC provides 26 accredited training programs for doctors, and PHCC supports ongoing education and competency development for primary care staff
• Licensing in Qatar requires regular Continuous Medical Education (CME) and credential verification via MoPH.

Qatar’s National Health Strategy

Qatar’s healthcare system isn’t just about hospitals and clinics; it’s guided by a clear vision and long-term goals. That’s where the Qatar National Vision 2030 comes in. Think of it as the country’s roadmap for the future, aiming to make Qatar an advanced society capable of looking after its own development and providing a great quality of life for everyone.

Now, to make that vision a reality, Qatar uses National Development Strategies. We’re currently in the era of the Third Qatar National Development Strategy 2024-2030 (NDS3). This strategy builds upon the progress made in previous years but has an even stronger focus on making some big changes.

Key Goals of NDS3

NDS3 is focusing on healthcare. Here are some of its important targets:

Preventing Diseases: Qatar wants to get better at preventing non-communicable diseases like diabetes.

Better Integration: They’re working to connect health and social care services, especially for mental health and people with disabilities.

Fixing Imbalances: They want to make sure there are enough specialists in all the right areas of medicine.

Efficiency: Qatar is looking to make the healthcare system more efficient and use resources wisely.

Essentially, NDS3 is all about making sure Qatar’s healthcare system is ready for the future, meets the needs of everyone in the country, and keeps improving the overall well-being of the population. It’s a comprehensive plan designed to elevate Qatar’s healthcare to even greater heights.

National Targets Set by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH)

To bring this strategy to life, Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health has set measurable national targets to reach by 2030:

• Reduce deaths caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 36%
• Increase average life expectancy to 82.6 years
• Reduce infant mortality to 2 per 1,000 live births
• Strengthen early detection and prevention programs across the population

These goals are aimed at making sure Qatar’s healthcare system doesn’t just treat illness, but actively works to prevent it and improve overall population health.

How This Connects to Qatar National Vision 2030

This strategy directly supports two major pillars of the Qatar National Vision 2030:

• Better Health Outcomes: Improving life expectancy and reducing preventable disease
• Medical Tourism Growth: Elevating Qatar’s reputation as a regional leader in high-quality, patient-centered care

Technological Advancements and Innovation in Healthcare System in Qatar

To achieve the ambitious goals set out in Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third Qatar National Development Strategy (NDS3), Qatar is making big bets on technology and innovation within its healthcare sector.

Investing in the Future

Qatar is putting serious money into things like:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI): Using AI to improve diagnostics and treatment plans. For example, Hamad Medical Corporation has launched AI-powered tools for early detection of diabetic retinopathy and to help radiologists interpret medical images more quickly and accurately.
• Telemedicine: Providing remote healthcare services, especially useful for people who live far from hospitals or have trouble getting around. In 2024, more than 1.2 million virtual consultations were delivered across public and private providers—a record high and a sign that telemedicine is now a core part of care in Qatar.
• Digital Health Records: Moving away from paper and using electronic records to make healthcare more efficient and coordinated. As of 2025, over 95% of Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) centers are now connected to the national electronic health record (EHR) system, making it easier for doctors and patients to access up-to-date information anywhere in the country.

According to the Third Qatar National Development Strategy 2024-2030, these technologies are seen as crucial for improving the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of healthcare services across the country [QNDS3_EN-1.pdf].

The Qatar Genome Programme

One particularly exciting project is the Qatar Genome Programme. This initiative aims to create a comprehensive map of the Qatari genome. This will allow doctors to provide more personalized and effective treatments based on a person’s unique genetic makeup.

By embracing these technological advancements and investing in groundbreaking initiatives like the Qatar Genome Programme, Qatar is positioning itself at the forefront of precision medicine and healthcare innovation in the region.

Economic Opportunities in Qatar’s Healthcare System

All this investment in technology and innovation isn’t just about improving people’s health; it’s also creating exciting economic opportunities within Qatar’s healthcare sector.

Growth of the Qatar Healthcare Market

Experts predict that Qatar’s healthcare market is set to expand significantly in the coming years. The sector is projected to reach $12 billion by 2025, with hospital market revenues alone expected to hit $2.26 billion this year. By 2029, the hospital market is forecast to grow further to $2.85 billion, reflecting a strong annual growth rate of nearly 6%. Healthcare spending is also on the rise, with QR22 billion (about $6 billion) allocated in the 2025 national budget—over 10% of total government spending

Medical Tourism Potential in Qatar

Qatar is also aiming to become a major destination for medical tourism. The country’s state-of-the-art hospitals and highly trained professionals are attracting more international patients every year. In 2024, Qatar welcomed over 45,000 inbound medical tourists, generating an estimated $150 million in revenue from medical tourism services alone. Medical tourism revenue is projected to increase by about 15% annually as the sector matures.

To support this growth, Qatar has signed key partnerships with world-renowned institutions. Notable memoranda of understanding (MoUs) include collaborations with Mayo Clinic and Imperial College London, which are helping to bring advanced expertise and international best practices to local hospitals and clinics.

This growth presents numerous opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors looking to get involved in Qatar’s booming healthcare industry. From developing new technologies to providing specialized medical services, the potential for economic success is significant.

Challenges and Future Directions of the Healthcare System in Qatar

While Qatar has made remarkable strides in developing its healthcare system, there are still challenges to overcome and areas where further improvements are needed.

Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases

Like many developed nations, Qatar faces a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The Third Qatar National Development Strategy (NDS3) emphasizes the importance of enhancing the prevention of these diseases through public awareness campaigns, early detection programs, and promoting healthier lifestyles.

Mental Health and Disability Care

Another key priority is improving the integration of mental health and social care services, as well as enhancing support for people with disabilities. This includes increasing access to mental health services, reducing stigma, and ensuring that people with disabilities have the resources and support they need to live fulfilling lives

Healthcare Workforce Development

To ensure the long-term sustainability of its healthcare system, Qatar needs to invest in developing its healthcare workforce. This includes attracting and retaining talented medical professionals, providing ongoing training and education, and addressing imbalances in specific medical specializations.

By tackling these challenges head-on and focusing on continuous improvement, Qatar can further strengthen its healthcare system and ensure that it meets the evolving needs of its population.

Conclusion

Qatar’s healthcare system has grown from basic services to a leader in medical innovation. With the Third Qatar National Development Strategy (NDS3) and Qatar National Vision 2030, the country is focused on improving healthcare and ensuring a strong future.

In essence, Qatar’s healthcare system serves as a compelling example of how a nation can prioritize the well-being of its people while driving economic growth and securing a prominent place in the world.

Raf is a leading healthcare consultancy company in Qatar providing end-to-end solutions addressing the unique needs of clinics, medical facilities and corporates.