The strategy by the healthcare sector ensured healthcare service plans partners, including the public and private sector to implement a unique health experience during the World Cup Qatar 2022. The untold story of the comprehensive concept of health services and success in providing free and broad healthcare services during the sporting event will remain memorable for visitors to the State of Qatar. The well planned and coordinated services enabled healthcare service providers to play key roles throughout the World Cup. Consequently, services were delivered in stadiums, fan zones, and training grounds, as well as providing emergency and urgent care services in hospitals and health centers daily.
Ambulance Service also played a major role in providing medical services during the competition and non-competition venues. Medical teams were deployed in strategic places across the country, including fan zones, festivals and accommodations.
One of the success stories of the health sector is the B4Development Foundation, established by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy in 2016, which recorded many achievements during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
In coordination with the Ministry of Public Health and the World Health Organization, the foundation contributed actively to many activities to raise health awareness and promote healthy food options in the eight stadiums and fan zones to set new standards in terms of the contribution of behavioural sciences to mega sporting events.
Director of B4Development Dr. Fadi Makki said that “the World Cup witnessed fans being guided and helped to lead healthy lifestyles, and it is the first time that behavioural science has been used in a World Cup in such a systematic way, adding that the foundation has always been keen to take advantage of the tournament to promote healthier lifestyles in Qatar and the region”.
The foundation helped guide the fans and visitors, disseminated specially-designed messages to alert fans about the mandatory Hayya card for attending the matches, and influenced fans’ behaviours to follow environmentally sustainable practices in the World Cup stadiums.
This remarkable success in accommodating the growing demand for health services and adopting a comprehensive concept of health delivery during prominent events is attributed to the well-studied plan, preparation and willingness to help people. This commitment contributed to Qatar hosting a safe, secure and accessible World Cup, hailed as the best in history.
