The Dubai Expat Diaries

In the latest in a stream of policy changes, Dubai has deemed that all expats living and working in the emirate of Dubai must have compulsory health insurance cover. The plan is to roll out the changes in phases, with the first phase in place by January 2009. Subsequent phases will roll out other categories and benefits, till 2015. Locals remain unaffected and will continue receiving cover. The primary aim of these changes is to shift the responsibility of health cover from the state to individuals and companies / employers. Some recent media reports elaborate:

Under the recently announced compulsory health funding system, everyone living and working in Dubai must have new health policies in place before 2009… Simon Hodges, Adviser (Special Projects), The Executive Council, says, “All patients will need to register at an approved clinic to access care. A list of approved clinics will be published on the DHA website before the end of 2008.” … However, the Dubai health authorities say that the maximum range of insurance cover will only be rolled out in phases by 2015. Khaleej Times

…Others simply think medical cover is not a necessity since the current health services are available on as-you-pay basis…However, the UAE government looks at the issue differently. With a dramatic change in the demographic, epidemiological and socio-economic profile over the past three decades, providing affordable and quality healthcare to all has become a necessity and a major challenge for the authorities….As a sustainable and long-term solution, the government recently announced that it would roll out a mandatory health insurance system tailored from existing models such as in the United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia….The burning question is: Is the upcoming system affordable and will it really work? Khaleej Times

In June, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announced its plans for mandatory health insurance, to be phased in from January 1,2009. Expats, residents and visitors will receive basic health insurance coverage, with expats and residents having to register with the primary healthcare centre of their choice…Employers and sponsors will be responsible for paying for this insurance. Anybody wanting more than this basic cover will have the option to top up their policy – many insurers see this as an opportunity. Health Insurance Magazine

Humaid Al Qutami, Minister of Health said the health ministry, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Health Authority and the Dubai Health Authority, was looking to implement a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at improving delivery of health services and enhancing available facilities and skills of medical personnel…Al Qutami said providing reasonably priced health care services had remained the core concern when the ministry and the local governments arrived at the decision to implement a national health insurance scheme that covered the basic needs of all residents while also channelling investment into modern health care infrastructure…He said the ministry would also allocate considerable funds for health education and diagnosis centres…Al Qutami said the ministry would enhance the performance standards of all private clinics and hospitals in keeping with standards it set…”Once we reach that point, which we expect to achieve in three years, all hospitals and clinics in the country will be inter-linked through a sophisticated digital system that can be accessed by health staff across the country. Gulf News

The positives of these moves are apparent and everyone will benefit if the plans are rolled out as envisioned. However there are also bound to be challenges in terms of implementation (this is a time for many big changes for expats living and working in Dubai…how do you keep up with everything and especially the costs associated?). Let’s wait and see what the future brings!