Health

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.