Qatar healthcare spending to grow 5.2% in 5 years: report

The government allocated 11% of its budget to the healthcare sector.

Healthcare expenditure of Qatar is projected to post a compound annual growth rate of 5.2% in five years from 2023 and reach nearly $11b (QAR40b) by 2028, on the back of the government’s prioritisation over the medium term.

In a report, BMI said the healthcare sector accounted for 11% of the total budget which is consistent with the allocation in 2023, in line with the increased budget in the last two years to pursue improved care access, research and development and digital transformation under the National Vision 2030 plan.

“Public expenditure will continue to dominate, however, the government's ongoing push for privatisation will see private spending outpace public expenditure. We expect this dynamic to continue as the government seeks to gradually reduce expenses and costs of the healthcare sector on the state over the medium term,” the report read.

Qatar will see a boost in hospitals, particularly secondary and tertiary care, over the medium term as a significant portion of the budget for the sector will be used for infrastructure development plans.

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This will include the increased investment in Qatar’s Medical City, a medical complex managed by the country’s principal healthcare provider Hamad Medical Corp. Located in Doha, the Medical City includes several hospitals and speciality centres. 

This will also boost the development of the country’s National Cancer Hospital and the development of a psychiatric hospital for mental health.

“We expect high levels of investment into the expansion of healthcare infrastructure will be sustained over the medium term as the government places greater focus on non-oil sectors, as per the government's third National Development Strategy,” BMI said.

$1 = QAR3.64