Middle East News - UAE: Dubai considers health insurance for the disabled
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Mar 2016
A plan to have all citizens and expatriates with disabilities covered by health insurance in Dubai is being studied, a government official has said.
Dr Hussain Maseeh, an expert with the Programme and Social Services Sector, Community Development Authority (CDA), said its study has found residents with special needs are not adequately covered by existing insurance schemes, reported Gulf News.
“That needs to change. It could be through subsidised government support, private sector funding, CSR [corporate social responsibility] …,” he said.
The findings have been presented to the Dubai Health Authority, which will study how to ensure those with special needs have insurance cover and services support. Dr Maseeh said: “Part of the role of the CDA as a government institution is to monitor the needs of the community. We have found that the insurance, solutions and support available for people with disabilities are not enough. Everyone should be covered, one way or another,” he added.
He said that as part of the CDA study, a database of people with disabilities is being established, which will help government services provide better care for them.
Dr Maseeh said that private sector services are “too expensive or low quality, and families have to balance between standards and money”. He called for a financial funding scheme that will address special needs “regardless of whether they are Emiratis or expats”.