Alongside oil and gas, which formed the pillars of development in the country, leaderships have attributed significant importance to developing the healthcare sector as a fundamental cornerstone for nation-building. Continuous efforts have been made to elevate the level of healthcare services provided in the country. Hamad Medical Corporation has witnessed the evolution of healthcare services in the state, expanding from one hospital, the Rumailah Hospital, to 12 hospitals. This expansion is a result of the rapid population growth in Qatar, leading to increased demand for healthcare services. The Rumailah Hospital was established in 1957, followed by Hamad General Hospital, inaugurated in 1982. It offers high-quality healthcare services to inpatients through the vast expertise of the medical staff. The hospital has outpatient clinics comprising over 65 specialized clinics. Additionally, the hospital facilities include an advanced emergency department, five intensive care units, eight operating rooms, a large pharmacy, and a range of modern diagnostic facilities, including medical laboratories and diagnostic radiology facilities, providing necessary support for all medical services. Expansion in hospital construction has taken place over past decades, including the Aisha bint Hamad Al-Attiyah Hospital, Al-Wakra Hospital, Communicable Disease Center, Heart Hospital, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, Cuban Hospital, Women's Hospital, Women's Wellness and Research Center, Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, and other healthcare facilities. Qatar has invested in the healthcare sector over decades through scientific and educational research, exemplified by Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar, the specialized teaching hospital, and Sidra Medicine equipped with state-of-the-art technological advancements to deliver the highest global standards in healthcare, education, medical research, and clinical practice. With significant advancements and qualitative leaps witnessed in the healthcare sector in recent years, Qatar has emerged as a globally advanced country in providing comprehensive healthcare, rivaling the best healthcare systems worldwide. Parallel to the development in the healthcare sector, Qatars recent history reflects a wide interest in urban development, harmonizing with Qatar's historical and cultural identity and heritage. One of the prominent features of modern renaissance is the Waqif Souq, one of the most iconic attractions in Doha, a thriving market hosting souvenir gifts, handicrafts, local products, cafes, and restaurants. The souq underwent renovation in 2006. The name Souq Waqif dates back over a hundred years when trading activities occurred in that area while standing. It became a Qatari heritage site, the main gateway to the grand market and a beloved destination in the country. The market offers a variety of traditional goods and handicrafts, such as herbs, spices, incense, perfumes, goldsmithing, tailoring, embroidery, traditional Arabic attire for men and women, along with the production of daggers, swords, musical instruments, and the sale of rare birds like falcons and parrots. Al Bidda Park is one of the oldest and most famous parks in Qatar, blending various natural elements into one place, situated near the Doha Corniche. Formerly known as Al Rumailah Park, it closed in 2014 for renovation before reopening on Feb. 13, 2018, following comprehensive redevelopment and expansion. Covering 1.765 million square meters of green spaces, the park was one of the main destinations for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 enthusiasts, hosting a major part of the associated events, including the FIFA Fan Zone festival, featuring diverse entertainment activities. Among other significant landmarks, the Sheraton Hotel, which opened in the 1980s, is one of Qatar's landmarks overlooking the West Bay, marking the inauguration in 1982 of the first internationally branded hotel in Qatar, the historic Sheraton Doha Hotel. Currently, the area surrounding the Sheraton Hotel is under development, and the hotel remains a symbol of unmatched hospitality. Not far from the Sheraton Hotel lies the Qatar National Museum, inaugurated in 1975 and renovated in 2019. Designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, it is inspired by the desert rose, a natural phenomenon in the region. The Qatar National Museum stands as an architectural landmark admired by many in the country, reflecting Qatar's past while shedding light on its present and future. Returning to the most important contemporary buildings of the modern state, several landmarks testify to this, including the first post office in Doha, inaugurated in 1951 and still operational today. The Central Bank, initially known as the Qatar Monetary Agency, issued the Qatari Riyal, the country's official currency. Among other important landmarks is the Electricity Street, the first street in Qatar to be electrified. It currently forms part of Msheireb, the heart of Doha, representing the first sustainable redevelopment project globally while maintaining its authentic character. (MORE)
Source: Qatar News Agency