Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s healthcare system has recorded major strides in capacity, workforce growth and service quality, reinforcing the country’s commitment to accessible, high-quality, and inclusive healthcare for all.
New data and initiatives unveiled by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) highlight significant investments in hospital infrastructure, human resources, preventive care, food safety and international accreditation, positioning Qatar among the leading healthcare systems.
According to MoPH figures, Qatar’s hospital bed capacity has reached 5,385 beds, reflecting sustained expansion to meet population needs. In 2024, total hospital bed capacity stood at 5,196 beds, with government hospitals accounting for the largest share at 3,740 beds (72 percent), followed by private hospitals with 964 beds (19 percent) and semi-government hospitals with 492 beds (9 percent), ensuring a balanced and resilient healthcare infrastructure across sectors.
The healthcare workforce has also grown significantly, with more than 58,000 healthcare workers serving across public and private institutions.
Data from the Health Professions Department show that 53,961 health professionals were registered in 2024, marking an 8.7 percent increase from 2023, strengthening Qatar’s capacity to deliver patient-centred care across medical and allied health disciplines.
Preventive health outcomes continue to improve, with the National Immunisation Programme achieving coverage rates exceeding 95 percent for most basic childhood vaccines.
Reflecting these advancements, Qatar ranks first in the Arab world and 18th globally in healthcare quality, according to the Numbeo Health Care Index.
In a move to enhance accessibility and patient safety, the MoPH has mandated pharmaceutical companies to include essential medicine information in Braille on outer packaging, with phased implementation leading to full compliance by November 2027.
Food safety remains a priority, with the Ministry preparing a five-year comprehensive plan to monitor contaminants across all food types. Qatar has also secured renewed accreditation from the American Accreditation body for inspection and sampling of local and imported food under ISO 17020 standards. Additionally, the Food Safety Rating Programme has been launched, enabling consumers to assess food establishments’ compliance based on periodic inspections.
On the professional development front, Qatar’s National Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accreditation system, overseen by the MoPH, is among the first four global systems recognised by the World Federation for Medical Education.
The system is jointly accredited by leading international bodies, including the American Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EBAC), with recognition valid until December 2030.
Qatar is also home to four World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centres, focused on strategic health priorities.
These include Hamad Medical Corporation’s centres for Healthy Ageing and Dementia, Trauma and Emergency Care, and Tobacco Control, as well as Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar’s Disease Epidemiology Analytics Centre, which supports research on HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis. Together, these centres enhance regional and global capacity in disease prevention, injury management and public health research.
