Hospitals & Clinics

How hospitals and clinics differ in Qum, the all-important role of the hamrah, and a list of major hospitals and walk-in clinics.

Qum currently has 14 hospitals (bimarestan) and over 60 clinics (darmangah). Hospitals mainly handle inpatient care and emergencies, while clinics focus on outpatient care and diagnostics.

A note on hospital care

Unfortunately, the hospitals in Qum are often criticised for poor patient care and for staff who can be unprofessional and lacking in compassion. Much of the nursing work tends to fall to the patient’s own family, which can be stressful — so it helps to understand this dynamic in advance.

It is customary for a family member or friend, known as the hamrah, to accompany the patient throughout their stay. The hamrah handles the patient’s paperwork, procures necessary materials, administers medication and so on. To avoid these difficulties, some people choose to receive hospital treatment in Tehran, where facilities are more advanced and staff better trained.

Clinics

Clinics in Qum are typically large buildings offering a wide range of services — general and specialist appointments, dental care, laboratory testing, pharmacy services, diagnostic imaging and other non-emergency outpatient care. Most operate on a walk-in basis (no advance appointment needed), with extended hours — many opening early, closing late, or running 24 hours.

Some hospitals and clinics