Health
From The Report: Qatar 2012
View in Online Reader

Promoting development by nurturing a healthy population is enshrined in Qatar’s constitution and is a cornerstone of the government’s long-term development strategy. The state’s population has increased rapidly over the last decade, but so too has expenditure on health care services, climbing from $339 per capita in 2000 to $1560 per capita by 2010. Investments in health care are expected to help diversify the economy away from oil and gas, and the government is actively supporting private sector participation. While Qatar faces the challenge of sourcing skilled professionals to fill new posts, the government is trying to address these gaps through several initiatives aimed at encouraging more students to take up medical professions, particularly nursing.

This chapter includes interviews with Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, Managing Director, Hamad Medical Corporation.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Healthy indicators: The sector is diversifying, with an eye towards private investment
OBG
plus

Promoting development by nurturing a healthy population is enshrined in Qatar’s constitution and is a cornerstone of the government’s long-term development strategy. Under Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030), the state commits to “developing an integrated system for health care, managed according to world-class standards. This system will meet the needs of existing and future generations and provide for an increasingly healthy and lengthy life for all citizens. All health services will…

Analysis

The next generation: Education is a top priority for sector development
OBG
plus

One challenge emerging from the rapid expansion of hospitals and health care providers in Qatar is a shortage of skilled professionals. “While the shortage of nurses is a global problem, Qatar currently faces a significant hurdle,” Carolyn Byrne, the dean and CEO of the University of Calgary – Qatar (UCQ), told OBG. “It is in need of at least 5000 nurses.” BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS: The government is trying to address these gaps through several initiatives, including attracting foreign…

Interview

OBG talks to Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, Managing Director, Hamad Medical Corporation
OBG
plus

Interview: Dr Hanan Al Kuwari What do you identify as the most pressing issues within the national health strategy? DR HANAN AL KUWARI: The national health strategy encompasses many different objectives. The most pressing of these are building our health care infrastructure, focusing on treating a number of diseases and developing our human capacity. These aspects are currently being developed simultaneously through a range of projects. For instance, we have recently launched a national cancer…

Analysis

Growth spurt: Investments are under way to expand industry offerings
OBG
plus

In line with the objectives articulated in Qatar National Vision 2030, the government has invested significant resources to reform the health sector and to improve standards. The underlying principle supporting the reform process is to shift from the current hospital-based acute-care system to a more integrated model of services. In the new model, acute care will be one element in a broader system anchored around high-quality primary care services. This shift is designed to emphasise the benefits…