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                                                                   EX-99.906CERT

         Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

     Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, each of the
undersigned officers of H&Q HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, do hereby certify, to such
officer's knowledge, that the report on Form N-CSR of H&Q HEALTHCARE INVESTORS
for the year ended September 30, 2003 fully complies with the requirements of
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as applicable,
and information contained in the Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material
respects, the financial condition and results of operations of H&Q HEALTHCARE
INVESTORS for the stated period.


           /s/ Daniel R. Omstead                  /s/ Kimberley L. Carroll
           --------------------------             ---------------------------
           Name:  Daniel R. Omstead               Name: Kimberley L. Carroll
           Title: President                       Title: Treasurer


Date       12/8/03
           --------


A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to H&Q HEALTHCARE INVESTORS and will be retained by H&Q HEALTHCARE
INVESTORS and furnished to the SEC or its staff upon request. This statement
accompanies this report on Form N-CSR pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not be deemed as filed by H&Q HEALTHCARE
INVESTORS for purposes of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.