The density of physicians (including dentists) and nurses in Qatar “stands among the highest” in the GCC while also surpassing developed nations such as Singapore, Alpen Capital said in a report.
Qatar had more than 3.4 physicians and approximately 8.1 nurses per 1,000 people as of 2019, Alpena Capital noted.
The public sector accounted for 63.8% of the physicians and 74.2% of the nurses’ population in 2019.
As of 2020, Qatar had 20 hospitals with the public sector accounting for 70% of the infrastructure. The total number of hospital beds in the country stood at over 3,134 beds in 2019, recording a CAGR of 4.5% since 2016.
The public sector hospitals also held a higher bed capacity, accounting for 88.2% as of 2019.
Bed density has improved from 1.0 beds per 1,000 people in 2016 to 1.1 beds per 1,000 people in 2019.
Healthcare continues to be a priority for Qatar and the government has been constantly upgrading the quality of its healthcare infrastructure and services through reform initiatives, Alpen Capital said in its report on ‘GCC healthcare industry’.
The country’s National Health Strategy (2018-2022) within its Vision 2030 Plan identified some 12 areas of focus including development of integrated health systems, and coverage of preventive and curative healthcare among others to deliver improved health outcomes.
As part of its Healthcare Facilities Master Plan, the report noted the government aims to deliver some 48 new facilities such as primary healthcare centres, diagnostic and treatment centres, while also focusing on hospital expansions and building general and specialised hospitals.
Despite the slowdown in economy, Qatar’s government increased its budget towards healthcare in 2021 and 2022 accounting for 8.5% and 9.8% of the total, respectively, to expand its infrastructure
and increase focus towards quality services.
The country’s growing population base, high disposable income, rising life expectancy, low infant mortality, and increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases have led to an increase in the demand for healthcare services.
Qatar’s current healthcare expenditure (CHE) grew at a CAGR of 2.0% between 2016 and 2020 to reach $6bn.
Growth was largely supported by a 6.9% annualised increase in spending by the private sector while government spending has remained relatively flat (0.8% CAGR) over the four-year period.
Of the total healthcare spend in 2020, 79.1% ($4.8bn) was
financed by the government. Amid rising participation from private sector, the share of government expenditure in Qatar has fallen from 82.7% in 2016 to 79.1% in 2020.
Although the country’s CHE as a proportion of GDP has increased to 4.2% in 2020 from 3.7% in 2016, it remains amongst the lowest in the GCC.
Being one of the wealthiest nations globally, Qatar recorded the highest per capita healthcare spending at $2,250.8 in 2020 in the GCC, Alpen Capital noted.
According to Alpen Capital, CHE in the GCC is estimated to have grown at a CAGR of 9.5% between 2020 and 2022 to reach $104.1bn.
The two-year period, when the healthcare sector was primarily combating the pandemic, recorded a high growth in inpatient and outpatient levels. Healthcare expenditure in the GCC is further projected to reach $135.5bn in 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.4% from 2022.
