A new comprehensive healthcare facility has opened to expat men who live and work in the Industrial Area.

The Al Hemaila Medical Center, located at Street 41, can accommodate up to 24,000 patient visits a month, according to QNA.

Its launch comes at a time when low-income workers, many of whom are housed in labor camps far from Doha, are having a hard time accessing health care in Qatar.

Officially inaugurated yesterday, the center offers cardiology, dentistry, ophthalmology and radiology services, as well as inpatient facilities.

Al Hemaila also includes sections for acute cases, minor surgeries and bandage, laboratory, pharmacy and triage.

More facilities needed

The facility was built by the Private Engineering Office and is being run by the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) under an agreement with the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH).

In a statement, QRCS’s executive director Fahad bin Mohammed Al Naimi said the opening of the center shows Qatar’s commitment to the welfare of its workers, who account for the largest segment of society.

Lacking access to private health insurance, thousands of low-income expats often go to ERs at state hospitals to seek help.

This in turn has put a strain on public hospitals in Qatar. There, emergency doctors often treat people for minor injuries or chronic conditions such as diabetes.

In 2014, HMC’s emergency department director suggested more clinics and GP-type surgeries be built to help take ease the pressure off the ER.

According to QNA, this is the second health center to open for workers this year. The Mesaimeer Health Center launched in May and operates under the Primary Health Care Corp.

Meanwhile, construction of three hospitals purpose-built for Qatar’s blue-collar workforce has slipped about two years behind schedule. They are now expected to open sometime in 2017.

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