Dusty .... just picked up on your post and I have info that is to your benefit.
I live in Doha and my 8 year old daughter has recently switched to insulin pump therapy.
Okay ... in order of facts, here is how it goes.
1. Your husband is sponsored, therefore, most likely his employer will pay some of your medical costs (depends who it is). If they do not have their own medical clinic like for example Qatar Petroleum, then there are other Health Providers. They are termed Primary Health Care Centres and they are located in each of the Municipal Areas around Doha. They are recognisable in that they have large red 'lollipops' on poles outside. Alternatively there are several reasonably good day care hospitals around doha ... eg . Doha Clinic. This will take care of prescriptions for your insulin vials.
2. As your husband is sponsored, he effectively sponsors 'you' .... as you are then sponsored you will then be able to apply for a Health Card. Costs QR 100 for a year and you may apply for this once you have residency permit but not before. It is better to do this online through the Government portal qatar.moi then click through Healthcard procedure. Your husbands credit card payment will suffice and payments are secure and trustworthy. Once you have a healthcard, medical supplies are considerably discounted ... insulin vial will cost around QR10
The application takes about a week....and the card vcan be posted to your PO box address or, picked up at **********************************************************************************************.
3. The pump supplies can be obtained from ******************8hospital .... they are the only ones supplying the bits ....you must first order by phone and then pick up a few days later.
4. Test strips are for your own account and all brands are available in Qatar ... about QR 150 for 50. The Health Card is no use in this instance. If your husband works for QP then they supply free. If not there may be provision in husbands contract for cost clawback. They are available everywhere.
5. Warning - extreme summer temperatures here may cook your insulin so make a provision for cooler packs when travelling with vials/penfills whatever.
6. Your appointed Health Centre may help you with HbA1c ... or you can do this privately at the *****************************************************************************. She is extremely helpful and herself is Type 1 on a pump.
7. If afetr you arrive in Doha and are still lost, my name is Richard ******************. Myself and wife will likely be able to point you in the right direction.
8. When you first arrive, I would suggest you bring a month's supply so that will give you time to get on your feet with ongoing supplies etc.
I sincerely hope all this helps.
Kind regards
Richard
