UAE: Govt queried on delay in enacting federal health insurance law
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Apr 2020
A member of the Federal National Council (FNC) has urged the government to speed up the introduction of comprehensive health insurance for all Emiratis.
Mr Saeed Alaabdi, representing Ras Al Khaimah, questioned why no law has yet been enacted to put into effect the proposal, given that it was first mooted in 2015, The National reported. He said citizens in the northern emirates had long been expecting a federal health insurance law.
He said the draft legislation had been awaiting Cabinet approval since 2018. He even played a video showing Mr Obaid Al Tayer, the Minister of State for Financial Affairs, assuring FNC members it would be ready by 2019.
Mr Al Tayer responded that the proposed legislation had been discussed at length with health authorities across the UAE. The Cabinet’s approval would be needed for the Bill. He highlighted the need for due process, stressing the proposed law must be properly scrutinised. “There are procedures for the federal government that we need to follow.”
Emiratis across the country already have access to free healthcare at government-run hospitals. In addition, Emiratis in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have access to private healthcare centres through existing government programmes called Thiqa and Saada.
The public perception, however, is that services at private hospitals are of a higher standard than government-run medical centres, prompting calls for free health insurance at private hospitals for all Emiratis. M