Qatar has a wide range of medical facilities, with some of the best specialist doctors in the world practicing at one of the medical departments in the Hamad Medical Corporation (Qatar's government hospital). Both government and private sectors have the latest equipment and medical technology available.

There are a number of government health facilities that ex pats may use if they have a health card. Visitors may also use the clinics and hospitals, but will be charged for the consultations, tests and prescriptions. The government primary health centres are situated in various areas in Qatar (identifiable by what look like lampposts with green hexagons on top). You are supposed to use the clinic closest to your residence. The HMC has four hospitals: Hamad General Hospital, Women's Hospital, Rumailah Hospital and Al Amal Oncology Hospital.

Hamad General Hospital has facilities for surgery, paediatrics, internal diseases, anaesthetics and laboratory work. It also has an A & E department which has a good reputation.

The Women's Hospital is mainly for maternity patients, but they also have an IVF unit and a neonatal intensive care unit, which is the best option for delivery if your baby is born prematurely.

Rumailah Hospital has facilities for plastic surgery, ENT surgery and ophthalmology. It also has a stroke unit and a rehabilitation centre for disabled persons and handicapped children.

Al Amal Hospital is new and is mainly used for tumour diagnosis and cancer treatments. This hospital comes highly recommended and has all the latest equipment needed for early detection and treatment of cancer.

Doha has a number of private clinics and hospitals. The private hospitals are: AI Ahli Hospital, AI Emadi Hospital, the American Hospital and Doha Clinic Hospital.

Al Ahli Hospital was due to open fully by the end of 2005, and is expected to become one of the best private hospitals in Doha. At present they only accept outpatients during clinic hours. The hospital is closed on Fridays, and at the time of writing didn't have an emergency room in operation.

Al Emadi Hospital has facilities for eating disorders, general, plastic and reconstructive surgery, dermatology, dental care and maternity.

The American hospital has an emergency room and was the first private hospital to open in 1999.

Doha Clinic Hospital was originally opened as a clinic and, after numerous renovations, has become one of the most popular hospitals among expats in Qatar. They have outpatient as well as inpatient facilities, with a well-equipped x-ray department, maternity ward and emergency room.

Government Hospitals
Al Amal Oncology Hospital	Al Rumaila West	4397830
Hamad General Hospital	Al Rumaila West	4394444
Rumailah Hospital	Al Rumaila West	4392222
Women's Hospital	AI Rumaila West	4396666

Private Hospitals
Al Ahli Hospital	Bin Omran	4898888
Ahmadi Hospital	Al Hilal West	4666009
American Hospital	Al Hilal West	4421999
Doha Clinic Hospital	Al Mirqab Al Jadeed	4384333

The medical facilities are generally of a high standard, although some patients (especially children) may find the staff lack the same kind of 'bedside manner' that they are used to back home.

One of the main reasons people use private clinics rather than government facilities, is that you may have a long wait at the government ones due to the volume of patients. It is not unusual for a patient to wait up to two hours before being able to consult a doctor.

Government Health Centres/Clinics
Abu Baker Clinic	4681797
Abu Hamour Health Centre	4691261
Airport Health Care Centre	4675633
Al Gharrafa Health Centre	4869969
Al Montaza Health Centre	4435784
Al Shahaniya Clinic	4718995
Madinat Khalifa Madinat Health Centre	4862655
Umm Bab Health Centre	4711704
West Bay Health Care Centre	4837788

GPrivate Health Centers/Clinics
Al Ahli Hospital	Bin Omran	4898888
AI-Emadi Hospital	Al Hilal West	4666009
American Hospital	Al Hilal West	4421999
Doha Clinic Hospital	Al Mirqab Al Jadeed	4869969
Family Medical Centre	Al Mirqab Al Jadeed	4310707

Dermatologists
Ahmadi Hospital	4666009
American Hospital	4421999
Doha Clinic Hospital	4384333
Dr Nawal Chaarani - Skin Clinic	4880887

Most international companies have private healtt insurance cover for employees and their dependants. Nevertheless, you should still ge your heaUh card as soon as you have you residence visa.

Pharmacies can help with minor ailments, but it is wise to consult a doctor for more serious complaints. You can buy a surprising range of medicines over the counter, but will need a prescription for antibiotics and stronger medications.

Ambulances may have a difficult time trying to locate an injured person, but have been known to meet victims at well-known landmarks, such as roundabouts. If you are able to transport an injured person yourself, it may be the quicker option, bu only do so if the injured person is a friend or family member and you are sure that you will not be causing any further damage by moving them.

Some ex pats return to their home countries to give birth, but many opt to stay in Doha and deliver. Maternity facilities are good and are improving al the time, so it is no longer necessary for women t travel back home. If you decide to have your baby in Doha, you must first decide in which hospital you want to deliver. The Women's Hospital has a

large maternity unit, but because it is a Government Hospital, men are not allowed into the delivery room, a fact that puts most expats off. Doha Clinic is a popular place for ex pats to deliver. Al Emadi has a maternity unit that is relatively new and is also becoming very popular as the nurses and staff have developed a good reputation. Al Ahli hospital maternity unit was due to open in November 2005.

Typical prices for a normal delivery are QR 4,500 at AI Emadi and QR 4,000 at Doha Clinic. The average cost for a Caesarean delivery is QR 7,500 at Al Emadi and QR 9,000 at Doha Clinic. Doha Clinic charges extra for antenatal check ups, and together with three ultrasounds this amounts to QR 800. Private hospitals charge for many extras, so your bill may end up considerably higher than you anticipated!

At the Women's Hospital, you only have to pay for your room. Costs vary depending on whether you take a private or shared room, but neither option costs more than QR 1,000.

Most health insurers will only cover pregnancy costs if you have subscribed at least nine months prior to falling pregnant. Epidurals are common for pain relief and for elective caesareans (spinal blocks are also available). Qatar law requires that women are married before bearing children, if a woman delivers and is unmarried, she could face serious charges.

Maternity Hospitals & Clinics
Al Ahli Hospital	4898888
Al-Emadi Hospital	4666009
American Hospital	4421999
Doha Clinic Hospital	4384333
Dr.Amal Badi's clinic	4324349
Family Medical Centre	4310909
Women's Hospital	4396666

The paediatric department at Hamad Hospital has a very good reputation. The Paediatric Emergency Centre located on the corner of Al Sadd Street (Map Ref 12-El) is also excellent and has an outpatient section. The nurses are friendly and are very good with children, However, they do not handle trauma cases such as broken bones or deep cuts, so go to either Hamad General Hospital or Doha Clinic for these treatments. The Family Medical Centre located on Al Mirqab Street also has two very good attending paediatricians.

There are numerous dental clinics in Doha offering various treatments. The dental facilities are of a high standard, with state-of-the-art equipment. As with many services in Doha, the best way to find a good dentist is through word of mouth. Cosmetic dentistry is available at some of the dental clinics, however the prices may be higher than what expats are used to.

Opticians can be found in shopping centers as well as in various other areas. Opticians have a wide range of products available, including an extensive selection of contact lenses, both prescription and fashion. They will also be able to provide you with prescription reading glasses, as well as sunglasses. Doha Clinic has an Ophthalmology Department.

Everyone has to have an eye test when applying for a driving licence, but this test is performed on the premises when you request a licence at the police station.

Opticians
AljaborVision Technology	AI Muntazah	4427152
Bahrain Optician	Diplomatic District	4838848
Magrabi Eye & Ear Center	Wadi EI-Sil	4866148
Optic Gallery	AI Matar AI Qadeem	4678100
Qatar Optics	Madinat Khalifa	4866649
Royal Optician	AI Sadd	4131300
Yateem Optician	AI Sadd	4131363

Hairdressers are plentiful and many work at hotels or private clubs. There are also a number of stylists who will come to your home, which is convenient if you have small children or if you want the whole family done at the same time. Ask around as their numbers are usually passed from one satisfied customer to another.

Many expat women use Marie Claire, a beauty salon on Salwa Road which will provide manicures or pedicures at the same time. Their prices are reasonable and most customers seem to be pleased with the results.

Perhaps the most popular beauty salon with expats is the Diplomatic Club Beauty Salon where the general prices range from QR 100 for a cut and blow dry to QR 600 for a cut, colour and blow dry.

There are men's barbers at most hotels, where you will pay between QR 60 and QR 100. However, you can get a cheap and cheerful cut at one of the barbershops in the Najma area, near the secondhand furniture souk, for QR 20.

Children can have their hair cut at salons designed especially for kids. Try the one in City Center (on the third floor near the children's play area), Landmark (in Circus Land) or the Hyatt Plaza (near Jungle Zone). There is no need to make an appointmentthey work on a first come, first served basis.

Hairdressers
Coiffure Francaise	Salwa Road South	4689211
Diplomatic Club	West Bay	4839000
Intercontinental Hotel	West Bay	4844444
Maria	Doha	5470050
Sheraton Hotel	Diplomatic Dislrict	4854444
Special Touch	AI Mirqab AI Jadeed	4413801
Studio 1	AI Mirqab AI Jadeed	4447494

Cosmetic surgery is not that common in Doha and it might be preferable to travel to a country that has more facilities. Clinics that do have reasonable reputations include Plastic Surgicentre (466 2260) and Euro Clinic (444 0156). With any private clinics not affiliated to a hospital, be sure to check their credentials before you go ahead with any treatments. The Ministry of Health is clamping down on non-qualified practices.

Alternative therapies are available in Doha, although most are not recognised by the Ministry of Health. All homeopathic remedies and treatments have recently been banned in Qatar, but there are a number of expat therapists who work from their homes. Acupuncture (a Chinese healing treatment using needles), reflexology (pressure point treatment) and reiki (a healing form of meditation) are also available. Heather (591 5925) and Karen (574 5799) are both qualified reiki practitioners.

There are various massage parlours scattered around Doha. Hotel spas usually have qualified masseurs.

The options for acupressure and acupuncture treatment in Doha are limited, with Euro Clinic (444 0156) being one of the few practices to offer it.

New people arriving in Qatar often have difficulty settling down, especially if they have never lived in an Arabic country before. Many people suffer from culture shock and the homesickness can sometimes become too much to handle. One of the best ways of dealing with it is to talk to other people, as most of them will have had similar feelings and the expat community in Doha is very friendly. People will usually be happy to lend you a shoulder to cry on.

If you feel you can't handle things on your own, give one of the following ladies a call. They are both qualified therapists. Kimberley Sheedy, Child and Clinical Psychologist (571 6816) or Penny Richardson, Counselor, Therapist and Psychotherapist (571 4645).

You will find details of support groups on compound notice boards and through chatting with other people. A particularly good source of community support is the Qatar section of www.expatwoman.com.

Support Groups
Alcoholics Anonymous	5605901
Qatar Diabetes Association	4874310
Qatar National Cancer Society	4478128
Social Development Center	4324666