The premier health services institution in Qatar is the Hamad Medical Corporation which operates the state owned network of medical centers in Qatar including the central fully equipped and staffed Hamad Hospital. Qatari nationals are entitled to free medical treatment from state’s medical facilities while foreign residents are required to obtain health cards issued by the Ministry of health for a nominal fee. There are many public health centers throughout Qatar. These provide medical and dental treatment to Qatari nationals for free, but charge a nominal fee to non-nationals. There are also private clinics and surgeries operated by doctors and dentists in private practice.