100 clinics at stadiums; Provision of 100 clinics for world cup stadiums and medical teams for fan zones Qatar

Doha: Qatar has prepared extensive health care systems for the millions of people who are coming to the FIFA World Cup. The Ministry of Health of Qatar said that the steps to establish 100 clinics in the eight stadiums where the World Cup matches are taking place are in progress. In addition to this, the Ministry of Health is establishing special health clinics to provide emergency health services to visitors at the FIFA Fan Festival in Albida Park, other fan zones and fan villages where fans gather, Ali Abdullah Al Khatir, head of the Supreme Health Care Communications Committee at the Ministry of Public Health, said.

Clinics in stadiums

Qatar has decided to pay more attention to the health care of those coming to the World Cup as it is the biggest sports event after the Covid pandemic. Qatar authorities have prepared extensive health systems considering the possibility of post-covida health problems. He also informed that arrangements have been put in place to transport those admitted to the stadium clinics by ambulance to the nearest hospital if they require better services. For this, the ambulance system under Hamad Medical Corporation is fully equipped. Along with this, the Ministry has instructed all government and private health institutions in the country to be fully prepared to deal with any emergency situations, said Al Khatir, who is also the Chief Communications Officer of Hamad Medical Corporation.

Mechanisms for providing health and safety advice

Integrated medical teams comprising of experienced health workers will be deployed in Fan Villages. He informed that they will be open day and night for easy access to health services at any time. Apart from medical services, facilities will be provided for conducting medical checkups and providing health and safety advice. Along with this, health department inspections will also be organized in stadiums, hotels and business establishments to ensure health safety in the country.

Medical services are free for Haya card holders

Earlier, Qatar announced that it will provide free emergency medical services to football fans coming to the FIFA World Cup. Free treatment will be available during the World Cup for those who have the Haya card, the fan ID of the FIFA tournament. Qatar Ministry of Health officials also informed that the treatment will be done at health centers under Hamad Medical Corporation. Medical services are available at any public and private hospitals, health centers, clinics, laboratories and pharmacies in the country for those coming to Qatar to watch the World Cup matches. However, the officials also stated that treatment facilities will be provided exclusively for football fans in four hospitals under Hamad Medical Corporation. Hamad Medical Corporation’s Sheikha Ayesha bint Hamad Al Atiyah Hospital, Al Waqra Hospital, Hamad General Hospital and Hasam Mebayreek General Hospital are reserved for worshipers only.

Health insurance is preferred

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has clarified that it is advisable for visitors to take health insurance to cover treatment expenses in private medical hospitals. It is stated in the fan health information section of the Sport for Health website, which was launched yesterday in connection with the World Cup, that only those who have a Haya card can get free emergency treatment at government hospitals. The ministry has launched a new website to provide information about health services during the World Cup.

Full time ambulance services are also available

Hamad Medical Corporation’s ambulance service is available round the clock to provide primary medical care in emergency situations and transport to required medical centers. 999 should be contacted in such emergency situations. Facilities for providing treatment for minor physical difficulties are open 24 hours a day. Those suffering from physical problems like severe fever, headache, minor burns, dehydration and fatigue can directly come here and seek treatment.