How to get plastic surgery done in Qatar - at a fraction the normal price!

Qatar is undergoing a plastic boom, with more and more women (and some men!), both local and expat, going under the knife.

While the procedure is free for locals, expats also benefit from prices which are a fraction of those in the West!

In our latest article on the QatarVisitor website, Yousra Samir reports on whose getting it done, where, how much it costs - and how to choose a good surgeon.

See Plastic Surgery in Qatar for the full article.

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Dentists in Qatar

A guest of mine recently had severe toothache while visiting me in Qatar. My first reaction was panic, as I always seem to hear stories of people who have paid a fortune for dental treatment in Qatar.

Fortunately, a friend told me about the dental clinics in the health centres. While our local health centre was shut (it was Saturday), a trip to Muntazah clinic saw my guest being treated in the dentist’s room within two minutes of arriving at the clinic. The cost: QAR 30 for the treatment, as my guest did not have a health card, and QAR 5 for the antibiotics and painkillers.

The medical centres do not just provide emergency treatment: from Sunday to Thursday they are available for checkups.

Another acquaintance went to a private dentist here to be quoted QAR 25,000 for the treatment he required. He changed dentist, but when it came to having the operation the dentist referred him back to the health system, saying the dentistry required was too complex for his clinic. The whole thing - private appointments included - will now cost him in the region of QAR 8000.

All this has lead to our latest article on our website, Qatar Dentists, which includes the pluses and minuses of going private, how to go get treatment at the dental section of Rumeila hospital as well as including a list of private dentists.

Note - you can now rate the Dentists on this page - please do so if you have a positive/negative experience with Qatar dentists as you can then help to guide other people to best dentists!

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Ramadan in Qatar: Fasting and Health

Medina 626 CE

The sun blazes down in the desert, upon the heads of the goats and camels. Herders watch the animals, sheltering under the sparse shade of date palms. Despite the blistering heat, they have had nothing to eat or drink since the morning. They are following the new rules of their prophet Mohammed, and, like him, they will not eat till sunset, when they will break their fast with a little water and a few dates.

Qatar 2007 CE

As I write it is the end of summer here in Qatar, and the outside temperature, though not matching the height of summer when it could reach a humid 50 degrees Celsius, is barely bearable.

Yet the majority of people in Qatar are fasting. Not only do they abstain from food, tobacco and sex, they will also not touch a drop of water from dawn to dusk, for this is Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month.

Not only are Muslims fasting. Many non-Muslims, often motivated by curiosity are fasting too. One question that has arisen in recent online discussion in Qatar Living is whether fasting is healthy.

Given the much greater hardship that suffered by the first followers of Mohammed, this may seem a little frivolous. After all, many Muslims in Qatar can retreat to their air-conditioned houses or apartments in the heat of the day – although for fasting labourers, hardship may be just as great as it was in Mohammed’s day.

Paradoxically, though, many of the problems that practitioners suffer today is from overeating. When we fast, our body assumes there is a shortage of food, and our metabolic system slows down to conserve energy. When we do eat, more food than normal is converted into fat, and therefore less food than normal should be necessary to maintain a healthy diet.

Despite this, more food is consumed during Ramadan than at other times, and many people put on weight during Ramadan.

People fasting may also suffer from gastronomic problems. These can be exacerbated by feasting on sweets, fried food and spicy dishes. To deal with this, fasters should eat food high in fibre such as brown rice or bread.

Fast digesting food that contain sugar can be taken at Iftar, when Muslims break the fast, as they replace blood sugar levels. At Suhur. the pre-dawn meal taken before fasting begins, people should eat foods that contain complex carbohydrates. These take longer to digest, providing energy throughout the day. Foods containing complex carbohydrates include wholegrain bread, oats and muesli.

Dehydration is obviously a danger in this heat. To prevent dehydration, fasters can consume dehydrations fluids before and after fasting. Sports drinks also contain the electrolytes lost when the body becomes dehydrated. See our website article on Recognising, Treating and Avoiding Dehydration for more information.

Despite our modern knowledge of nutrition, one of the best things people fasting can do is to follow Mohammed’s example and break their fast with some water and a few dates. Dates contain potassium and magnesium, some of the minerals lost when the body become dehyrated, as well as tanin and fibre to counter gastronomic problems, and sugar to replace blood sugar levels.

So, happy fasting - the healthy way!

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Doha Clinic Hospital - This hospital may harm your computer...

While doing some research on health insurance, I tried to get in contact with Doha Clinic Hospital. As usual, they could not be bothered to answer the phone. (How do private companies in Qatar survive???)

So instead of ringing them, I thought I'd try their website. This is what I got:


Personalized Results 1 - 10 of about 95,400 for doha clinic hospital. (0.06 seconds)

Doha Clinic Hospital

This site may harm your computer.
Welcome To Doha Clinic Hospital Website, The First Fully Integrated Private Hospital in Qatar, For Complete Overview of our hospital please click on ...
www.doha-hospital.com/ - Similar pages - Note this

Google warns:

"This warning message appears with search results that we've identified as sites that may install malicious software on your computer." and

"Malicious software is often installed without your knowledge or permission when you visit these sites. Some examples of malicious software include programs that delete data on your computer, steal personal information such as passwords and credit card numbers, or alter your search results."

So, not only is it impossible to ring Doha Clinic Hospital if you are ill, they actually spread disease to your computer. Some hospital!

Also see: List of hospitals in Qatar

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Healthcare in Qatar

Also see:
Giving birth in Qatar
List of hospitals in Qatar
Experiences in Doha Hospitals
Life Insurance in Qatar
Our sponsors - The Disabled Shop


All fees are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Immunisations

According to the World Health Organisation's country list no immunisation is required.

Health care

Most treatment is available in Qatar including psychiatric and cancer treatment. Qatar has invested a lot of money in its health system, doubling its expenditure over the last two years, and has first class equipment. Qatar obviously has ambitions in the medical arena: Hamad Medical Corporation hold regular conferences, have continual training for its medical staff, have started manufacturing medical equipment and hope to develop ‘health tourism’. However, the bureaucracy, as ever, is confusing and chaotic, and when I rang up to get more information and the receptionist couldn't understand my request, she hung up on me.

Currently, residents have to pay for public health care, but it is heavily subsidised. Qatar is planning to move towards a system of health insurance, although no plans have yet been announced. In the meantime, to reduce the strain on its health service, Qatar is encouraging the development of the private health sector. People who choose the private sector or purchase private health insurance generally do so for speed and convenience (and to avoid the dreaded bureaucracy!)

Health check

When coming in to the country you will have a health check. This will include a chest x-ray and blood test to check for diseases such as HIV. Failing the health test will mean being sent back to your country.

Clinics

For non-emergency treatment your first visit should be to a clinic. (A visit to the clinic is also like a microcosm of Qatar society – watch the local nurses swan around chatting and attending to their nails while Indian and Philippino nurses do all the work). Which clinic you visit will depend on where you live. The clinic will refer to you the hospital for further treatment if necessary.

Charges (subject to change)

A single visit to the clinic costs Qr30/$8. Alternatively, buy a health card for Qr100/$25 (see below) which covers you for a year. Consultations and treatment (non-emergency) in the hospital often cost extra.

Medicine is heavily subsidised. For example, I recently purchased a course of antibiotics from a government pharmacy for five riyals (1.5 U.S. dollars). Expect to pay a lot more if you go private.

As mentioned above, the current system is due to be revamped and replaced with a system of health insurance.

Obtaining a health card

You can obtain a health card at a health card office – located either in your clinic or at Rumeilla Hospital. To obtain a health card at a health card office you will need photocopies of your passport and visa or your ID, two photographs (4cm x 3cm), the appropriate fee, your hospital appointment and health centre card and the completed application form.

The application form is written in both Arabic and English and can be completed in either language. It doesn’t have to be typed.

You will be given a number which you can use while you are waiting for your card. You health card should be available within two weeks.

You can apply or renew your health card at the Qatar general post office – details are on their website here.

Health cards can now be renewed online on Qatar E-government .

Disability equipment

Our sponsors, Scooters Direct UK, are a British company who export scooters and mobility equipment to the Middle East.

Children’s health

There is an excellent paediatric hospital in Al Sadd. Qatar does not have health visitors like the U.K., but does have a similar system of immunisation.

Admission to hospital

Hamad Medical Corporation provides extensive information on hospital admission here .

Useful numbers

Al Khor Hospital: 474 5555
Al Amal hospital (cancer): 439 7830/439 7829
Emergency: 999
Hamad General Hospital: 439 4444
Women’s Hospital: 439 6666

Paediatric hospitals:
Abu Bakkar: 469 9314
Al Rayyan: 480 3582
Al Sadd: 469 2948


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List of hospitals in Qatar

Includes some of the major hospitals in Qatar with their location and contact details.

Also see:
Healthcare in Qatar
Giving birth in Qatar
Experiences in Doha Hospitals
Our sponsors: The Disability Shop

Hamad Medical City

After the Asian Olympic Games, the Olympic village will be integrated into Hamad Medical City, containing within its grounds Hamad Hospital, Al Amal Oncology Hospital, Rumailah Hospital and the Woman’s Hospital.

Emergency Telephone Number: 999

Government Hospitals

Al Khor General Hospital
Location: on the main road out of Al Khor (towards Al Thakira).
Tel: +974 474 5555

Hamad General Hospital (includes Accident and Emergency)
Also offers private medical service + “five star” patient rooms.
Tel: +974 4394444
Location: Off Al Rayyan Road opposite Lulu Centre.

Al Amal Oncology Hospital (cancer treatment)
Aims to provide total cancer care. Includes early detection unit, therapy, counselling and rehabilitation.
Tel: +974 4745555
Location: Off Mohammad Bin Thani Street next to the women’s hospital.

Rumailah hospital
Services include plastic surgery, Ear nose and throat surgery, ophthalmology and a stroke unit.
Tel: +974 4393333
Location: off Al Istiolal Street, next to the Olympic Village.

The Women’s Hospital
Also include “five star” rooms.
Tel: +974 439 6666
Located in the same grounds as Hamad Hospital.

Children’s emergency centre: (Al Sadd)
Tel: +974 439 2948
Location: Next to Al Sadd traffic signals.

A new 305 bed hospital is now being built in Al Wakra, but will not be ready until late 2009.

Hamad Medical Corporation Website

Private Hospitals

Scooters direct UK - exporting scooters to the Middle East.

Al Ahli Hospital
Tel: +974 489 8888
Postal Address: PO Box 6401, Doha, Qatar
Location: Ahmed Bin Ali Street

The American Hospital
Tel: +974 442 1999
Email: ahdoha@qatar.net.qa
Location: Al Muntazah, next to the Labour Department on C-ring road.
Postal Address: PO Box 22314, Doha, Qatar

Al-Emadi Hospital
Tel: +974 466 6009
Postal address: PO Box 5804, Doha Qatar
Location: On D ring road, opposite Regency Hall and near The Mall roundabout.

The Doha Clinic Hospital
Email: dohaclnk@qatar.net.qa
Tel: +974 432 7300
Location: New El-Merqab Street, Fariq Al-Nasr
Postal Address: PO Box 9958, Doha, Qatar
Emergency: +974 4327303


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Giving Birth in Qatar

Having a Baby in Qatar: Personal Stories and Practical Information

Also see:

Healthcare in Qatar
List of Hospitals in Qatar
Giving Birth in Qatar: Website Article

Experiences

I’ve had very good experiences with the health system here, and when my daughter was born in the Women’s Hospital (next to Hamad Hospital) everything went smoothly. (See Experiences in Doha Hospitals). However, not everyone has been so lucky. When my wife accompanied a friend to hospital yesterday, she found a poor lady in labour. Although the woman was already dilated two centimetres, she had been told to wait in the queuing system and had been there for three hours.

When my wife summoned a doctor, the doctor angrily told the women to go home and come back a few hours later (the women lived in a compound in a remote area of Qatar). Meanwhile, the hospital administration offered to book her a room – three days hence.

When the woman finally made it to the delivery room and begged for some painkillers, she was told it was too late. She delivered her baby a few minutes later, without even an aspirin for pain relief. It is perhaps telling that this lady was Indian and not Western, and I doubt that a Western or Arab lady would be treated in this way. Sadly, where you come from, and how important you are perceived to be, seems to affect the quality of service you receive here.

Practicalities

Communication

What my wife has found worst in Qatar (at the health centre and women’s hospital), has been the lack of communication. Whereas in the U.K. midwives told her everything she needed to know, in Qatar she found she needed to push for information all the time. You also need to be very clear what you want regarding pain killers, and it’s a good idea to tell your doctor before you go into labour what painkillers you want.

English is the lingua franca in the hospitals, and many staff can not speak Arabic. However, the level of English varies considerably. Obviously, this will cause difficulties and misunderstandings.

Registration and bureaucracy

Your initial check up will be in a health centre. When you go to the hospital you have to start a file, even if you already have a file in the clinic. This is called “open file”. Without this you can not have an appointment (apart from in the case of an emergency”). When you start a file you will need:

- photocopies of your marriage certificate
- photocopies of your and your husband’s ID cards/passports
- health card

Charges (subject to change): Government Hospitals

Appointment with doctor: Qr50($14)
Health card: Qr100($27)
Night in hospital: Qr100($27)
Scan: Qr100($27)
Medicine is heavily subsidised and very cheap.

Government hospitals: details

Emergencies: 999

The Women’s Hospital
Located in the same grounds as Hamad Hospital.
Tel: +974 439 6666

Al Khor Hospital:
Tel: 474 5555

Also see: http://www.hmc.org.qa/hmcnewsite/

Painkillers

All standard painkillers, including epidural, are available. Again, be very clear about what you want before you giving birth.

Special rules

Men are not allowed to accompany their wives while they are in labour in Hamad, though they may in private hospitals. After the birth, there is normally a delay before the mother and child are sent to the room and the father may visit. This may be several hours. Women are allowed to visit the mother for a few minutes but are not supposed to stay. However, exceptions are made if you fuss a lot – my mother-in-law was with my wife almost the whole time.

Mother and baby

Hamad’s policy is to keep mother and babies together as much and possible. You will not be separated from your baby without good reason.

Equipment

My doctor friend from Hamad Hospital assures me that the equipment in Hamad is first rate, and superior to that of the private hospitals.

Birth certificates

Handily, the National Health Authority is opposite Hamad Hospital next to Lulu shopping centre. To obtain your birth certificate you will need a copy of each parent's passport (including visa) and paperork provided to you by the hospital - in the case of Hamad Hospital this is a vaccination card. You will need to complete a "New Born Notification Data Collection Form" which must include both parents' religion, occupation and qualifications. The cost is a very reasonable 20 riyals ($5)and the process takes about a week.

Private hospitals

One lady we met spoke very highly of the American Hospital here. You can also give birth in the other private hospitals listed at the bottom of this post. All the hospitals allowed fathers attend the birth. However, if there are any complications you will be sent to the Women’s Hospital.

Hospital details and prices

Prices include a two night stay. Doha Clinic Hospital and the American Hospital are covered by Bupa.

The Doha Clinic Hospital
Email: dohaclnk@qatar.net.qa
Tel: +974 432 7300
Location: New El-Merqab Street, Fariq Al-Nasr
Postal Address: PO Box 9958, Doha, Qatar
Emergency: +974 4327303
Consultation: Qr 150 ($40) for the first consultation, Qr 125 ($35) for subsequent consultations. 10% discount available with friendship card (cost 100 riyals), outpatient treatment only.
Normal delivery: Qr 6-7,000($1,600 - $1,900)
Caesarean delivery: 8-9,000 ($2,200 - $2,500)
Website: http://www.doha-hospital.com/

The American Hospital
Tel: +974 442 1999
Email: ahdoha@qatar.net.qa
Location: Al Muntazah, next to the Labour Department on C-ring road.
Postal Address: PO Box 22314, Doha, Qatar
Consultation: Qr80 ($20)
Normal delivery: 6-7000 ($1,600 - $1,900)
Caesarean: 7-9,000 ($1,900 - $2,500)
Website: http://www.ahqatar.com/

Al Ahli Hospital
Tel: +974 489 8888
Postal Address: PO Box 6401, Doha, Qatar
Location: Location: On D ring road, opposite Regency Hall and near The Mall roundabout.
Consultation: 200 ($55)
Normal delivery: Qr 6,500 ($1,800)(double room)
Qr 7,300 ($2000) (single room)
Caesarean: Qr 12,000 ($3,300)(double room)
13,600 riyals ($3,700)(double room)
See this discussion on Qatar Living for a positive report: http://www.qatarliving.com/discussion/al-ahli-hspital-14jul2006

Al-Emadi Hospital
Tel: +974 466 6009
Postal address: PO Box 5804, Doha Qatar
Location: Ahmed Bin Ali Street
Consultation: 1st: Qr 150 ($40), subsequent consultations Qr 100 ($25)
When I rang they said that they did not have one set price, and that price varies on the doctor’s diagnosis.
Website: http://www.alemadihospital.com.qa/site/

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