Doha, population of 400,000, is the capital city of Qatar and the center of the business, financial, academic and health care activities in the country.  The city is located directly on the coast of the Arabian Sea. An evening stroll along the 15km park which lines the sea shore is the much anticipated highlight of the day.

The six government hospitals of the Hamad Medical Corporation provide care, for a small fee, to the citizens and expatriates in Qatar: Hamad General Hospital, Al Amal Oncology Hospital, Rumailah Hospital, the Women's Hospital, and the Al Sadd Children's Emergency Centre.  The private general hospitals treat individuals who hold health insurance: Al Ahli Hospital, the American Hospital, the Al-Emadi Hospital, and the Doha Clinic Hospital.  The Qatar Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center, a 40 bed center for the treatment of athletic injuries suffered by Qatari youth was opened in 2007.  It is conveniently located next door to the training centre for Qatari athletes.  The Sidra Medical & Research Centre has been in the planning phase since late 2005 and is scheduled to open in 2012.  It will be a 250 to 350 bed women and children, research and treatment centre, and a teaching facility for the Weill Cornell Medical School in Qatar.

The program for the training of doctors is being run by the Weill Cornell Medical School in Qatar.  The University of Calgary Qatar, is devloping the program for the training of nurses.  And the College of the North Atlantic Qatar is developing prgorams for the training of allied health professionals.

Doha has fabulous hotels, every kind of recreational activity you could ask for, including a professional standard golf course.  The many restaurants will indulge every eating fancy.  All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable city.