Health

What Safety Measures are you Taking to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19?

We take the safety and security of our students very seriously. To combat the spread of COVID-19 we are implementing a host of safety measures including 1.5M distancing on campus, online meetings, phased reopening, increased health checks and screening for entrance on campus, reduced numbers in classrooms, and increased cleaning and sanitizing schedules. For more information on what we are doing visit the Return to Campus and COVID-19 websites.

Yes. Qatar Foundation Primary Healthcare Center (QF-PHCC), located in the Student Center is the primary healthcare center for GU-Q students. Staffed by family physicians, specialists, nurses, and dentists, the clinic provides routine curative health services and basic dental care to all students, including GU-Q students. No appointment is required to see a physician. However, you would need to make appointment to see a dentist.

A branch of Kulud Pharmacy is located in the Student Center next to the grocery store, and the clinic also has a pharmacy.

For QF Primary Healthcare Center and Student Center Pharmacy hours, call 4454-1244.

QF Primary Healthcare Center: 4454-1244 | 4454-1240

QF Dental Clinic: 4454-1244 | 4454-1240

Kulud Pharmacy in the Student Center: 4037-8029 | 5560-6956

If you choose to receive a prescription from Kulud Pharmacy and you have health insurance arranged by GU-Q, you will have access to direct billing. This entitles GU-Q students who are enrolled in the insurance plan to receive their prescribed medication according to the policy, for free. At the time of purchasing your prescribed medication, you simply need to show your insurance card and complete a direct billing claim form with the pharmacy. The pharmacy will then submit the claim for you. If you are not enrolled in the health insurance arranged by GU-Q you must pay for the prescription medication. All students are required to pay for medication and other supplies that are not prescribed or not included in the insurance policy.

Campus Emergency: 4454-0999
Off-Campus Emergency: 999
QF Primary Healthcare Center: 4454-1244 | 4454-1240
Kulud Pharmacy in the Student Center: 4037-8029 | 5560-6956
QF Nutrition Clinic

Travel Services

Georgetown University has an agreement with International SOS to provide worldwide travel services for all students. These services enhance the safety and emergency resources available to members of our community traveling overseas on university business or sanctioned academic work or research (not personal travel). The following services are provided under Georgetown’s agreement with SOS:

Security evacuation services which provide for emergency evacuations prompted by political instability or natural disaster.
Medical services ranging from telephone advice and referrals to full-scale medical evacuation by private air ambulance. The SOS network of multilingual specialists operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from Alarm Centers located around the world.
Online database of information which offers a variety of health, safety, and security resources for international travelers. These include country travel reports, security advice, pandemic preparedness information, vaccination requirements, and the ability to store an online itinerary
that can be accessed in the event of an emergency.

In order to access benefits and begin taking advantage of these resources, you will need to provide the Georgetown University membership number printed on your International SOS card as your member login. We recommended that while traveling abroad you keep a wallet-size membership card with you that lists the group membership number and the SOS Alarm Center emergency phone numbers. Members can find more information, access their accounts, and print their card from Georgetown Risk Management. Should you need assistance while you are abroad, contact the relevant SOS Alarm Center as indicated on your wallet card. SOS will contact Georgetown to confirm that you are covered by this program.

It is important to understand that SOS is not health insurance. Although personal travel is not covered, SOS can point the students in the right direction and give them suggestions for facilities and/or physicians that can provide proper medical and dental care abroad.
GU-Q requires all international and local expatriate students to have a supplementary private health insurance coverage. Additionally, all enrolled students are recommended to obtain and carry their Qatar National Health Card (Hamad Card).

Qatar National Health Card

The State of Qatar provides national health coverage for all residents of Qatar by providing them with a National Health (Hamad) Card. International students are eligible to obtain a National Health Card after receiving their Residence Permit. We will help these students to obtain their National Health Card. All other students (Qatari citizens and expatriates residing in Qatar) are recommended to apply for and/or renew their National Health Card on their own in the Primary Healthcare Center located in their district.

Private Health Insurance

We require all enrolled international and local expatriate students residing in Qatar to carry a supplementary private health insurance, in addition to their Qatar National Health (Hamad) Card. Therefore, we have negotiated a comprehensive medical and travel policy designed specifically for our students. All international and local expatriate students will be automatically enrolled and charged a premium fee for this insurance on their student billing accounts.

Students are responsible for understanding their insurance coverage and benefits and must carefully read the enrollment and benefit details, including the inclusions, exclusions, and limitations of their coverage.

For detailed benefits of insurance enrollment refer to the Student Insurance Policy and Highlight of Benefits. Qatari citizens interested in purchasing a supplementary private health insurance could do so on their own from local resources such as Seib, Doha Bank Assurance Company, Qatar Life and Medical Insurance Company, and AXA.

Waiving Student Health Insurance

All international and local expatriate students will be automatically enrolled in the student insurance arranged by GU-Q, unless they decline the coverage and provide documentation of an adequate insurance coverage under another private policy. If these students have coverage by another private insurance, that remains in effect throughout the academic year. If they wish to decline the student health insurance arranged by GU-Q, they must complete the Insurance Waiver Form and provide a copy of their current private insurance.

Students will receive email reminders every spring about the waiver option. Students must fill the waiver form every year, even if their enrollment in a private health insurance coverage stays active in subsequent years. If students wish to maximize their health care access, they may enroll in the insurance arranged by GU-Q along with their own private health coverage. Please compare your insurance policy with the Student Insurance Policy and Highlight of Benefits to make a decision about waiving the insurance plan arranged by GU-Q.

GU-Q Students on Study Abroad

When studying at another university, including Georgetown University main campus, you must follow the insurance policy for that university as well as Georgetown University Office of Global Education insurance requirements for study abroad students. For more information about insurance coverage requirements refer to the Student Insurance Health Coverage Flowchart. If you have further questions, please contact us by email.

Reimbursement and Claims

Current student insurance offers Direct Billing Network in Qatar and Cross Border Network. To benefit from these direct billing options, you would need to present your Qatar ID, student ID, and the insurance card.

For any other health care providers and pharmacies, you will need to pay out of pocket and then claim the cost by completing the Reimursement Claim Form and following the instruction on Insurance User Guide in order to be reimbursed. It is your responsibility to check with your Student Insurance Policy and Hightlights of Benefits for covered medical services.Insurance User Guide provides clarification about your health insurance, access to medical services, reimbursement and claim process, and insurance contact information.

Academic Accommodations

Students with Diagnosed Disabilities

Georgetown University in Qatar is committed to providing academic support for all students and to integrating students with disabilities as fully as possible into all aspects of university life. The Office of Academic Services (OAS) fulfills this mission by providing the following.

Support services to help assure equal opportunity for students with special needs and disabilities.
Academic accommodation for Students with diagnosed disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Assistance in skill areas necessary for academic achievement.

Definition of a Disability

A disability is defined as “any mental or physical condition that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities” (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990). These may include: physical disabilities, psychological disabilities, neurological impairments such as learning disabilities and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or chronic health problems. Examples of major life activities include such functions as breathing, seeing, hearing, speaking, walking, learning, working, performing manual tasks, and self-care.

Types of Disabilities

Some disabilities that may require accommodations include but are not limited to:
● Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
● Blindness/visual impairment
● Cancer
● Cerebral Palsy
● Deafness/hearing impairment
● Epilepsy
● Heart disease
● Multiple sclerosis
● Orthopedic/mobility impairment
● Psychiatric disability
● Specific learning disability
● Speech/language impairment

Procedure for Receiving Academic Accommodations

Students who been diagnosed with a disability or medical condition by their physician should bring Required Documentation for Academic Accommodation to the Student Wellness & Counseling Center (located on the 1st floor). Documents submitted by the student will be reviewed by the appropriate university personnel, and the university will determine if accommodations are appropriate and determine reasonable accommodations by completing the following steps:

A member of the Student Wellness and Counseling Center will review all documentation to determine whether the student is eligible to receive accommodation services.
If the university determines that an accommodation is appropriate, a counselor from the Student Wellness & Counseling Center will arrange a meeting with the student to determine appropriate services and accommodations.
If accommodations are recommended, the student is responsible for notifying the Associate Director of Academic Services that they require an accommodation and requesting time to meet.
The Associate Director will schedule time with the student to discuss what their accommodations mean, how to use them, and policies and procedures for implementing accommodations, including an overview of the Accessibility Information Management System (AIM).
The student then notifies OAS of the courses for which they would like to use accommodations and provides permission for a letter to be sent to their professor(s) detailing the accommodation. OAS issues a notification letter to faculty outlining the recommendations and procedures for implementation.
The student is also responsible for speaking with his/her professors to discuss their learning needs and for notifying the professor when they elect to use accommodations.

Temporary Accommodations

Georgetown University is committed to supporting the academic success of all students and recognizes that certain life events may inhibit this progress. Students who suffer a temporary injury (e.g., a broken arm or leg) and require assistance are encouraged to immediately contact their academic dean. In the event that the injury occurred while the student was participating in a Georgetown intercollegiate athletic event, the student should also notify the Student Affairs Department.

While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not recognize temporary disabilities as a disability for which accommodation is legally mandated, the Academic Affairs Department, Student Wellness & Counseling Center, and when appropriate, the Student Affairs Department, are available to provide support as a courtesy and wish to be informed about injuries promptly so that parties can effectively collaborate and coordinate reasonable support efforts. In particular, the academic deans should be informed about any injury that will impact a student’s academic responsibilities, so that they may collaborate with the student to develop a management plan for the convalescent period. The Office of Academic Services and Student Wellness & Counseling Center is available as a resource to administrators advising students with temporary injuries.

Parking Accommodations

Students with either a temporary or permanent disability may be eligible for a parking accommodation. Information can be found here.

Personal Security

All students are issued a Georgetown ID card. You must carry this ID along with your Qatar ID at all times while in Education City. Your identity will be checked upon entrance to the campus. This card is also used for the Library and printing on site.
Do not lend anyone your identification cards. Immediately report the loss or theft of your card to the security team.
Do not leave valuable items such as wallets, purses, mobile phones, or laptops unattended. Anything left for more than 15 minutes in the GU-Q building will be taken for safekeeping to Lost and Found.
Report incidents and accidents inside the building.
Clery Act: In compliance with this legislation, GU-Q disseminates public safety alerts to faculty, staff and students, produces an annual crime report, and maintains a log of reported criminal incidents.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) prohibits discrimination based on sex in any educational programs, which includes sexual harassment or any acts of sexual misconduct. Title IX requires the university, upon becoming aware of any incident of sexual harassment and misconduct to respond appropriately to protect and maintain the safety of the University community, including students, faculty, and staff. For more information click here.

Student Safety

Student Safety is of the utmost importance to everyone at GU-Q and Qatar Foundation. There is 24-hour security provided on the Education City campus as well as in each student apartment complex. In addition to these measures, there is an ambulance service located on campus, as well as a clinic.

GU-Q has also implemented its own procedures to ensure students, employees and their family members are kept safe whether they are at work, at home, or elsewhere in the city of Doha.

Qatar ranks among the safest countries in the world. However, in Doha, as in any major city, routine safety and security precautions should be taken. It is important to be aware of your surroundings at all times and to take proper precautions to ensure your safety and that of your property.

Responding to an Emergency

GU-Q strives to prevent problems before they occur, to respond swiftly and effectively when problems arise, and to maintain essential services and business operations in the event of a major incident.

We encourage our community members to refer to the following helpful guidelines on how to respond to an emergency.

Useful Numbers (add them to your phone contacts):

● GU-Q Security: 4457 8458
● Education City Emergency (on-campus): 4454 0999
● Doha Emergency (off-campus): 999
● Student Wellness & Counseling Center on-call: 5503 9044