Dubai: Mandatory insurance deadline extended

Individual sponsors who fail to provide health insurance for themselves, their employees and dependants by the June 30 deadline set by Dubai Health Authority will not face fines this year.

A grace period of six months has been offered by DHA as it plans to enforce the final stage of its mandatory health insurance scheme for all residents.

Health insurance is now linked to Dubai residency visas in an effort to have widespread coverage for the 3.8 million people living in the emirate.

United Arab Emirates: Mandatory health insurance required for foreign employees and dependents

The Dubai Health Authority stated, as of June 30, 2016, employers in Dubai will be required to provide health insurance for all of their employees. Employees must be covered by an acceptable insurance plan provided by a pre-approved health insurance provider, and employers will be required to provide proof of such coverage.

UAE: Health insurance coverage to be mandatory in Dubai

Employers in the Emirate of Dubai must provide health insurance coverage to all residents and visitors by June 30, 2016, according to an announcement by the Dubai Health Authority. Employees must provide at least basic coverage for their dependants and domestic workers under an approved plan by that date.

Kuwait: Kuwait expats to see 200% surge in health insurance fees

A Kuwait government plan to ban foreign workers getting access to public healthcare services will cause a series of consequences to the expatriate community, local media has reported.

Kuwaiti Economics Committee in the Supreme Council for Planning and Development recently proposed a two-layered alternative health plan for the three million of expats residing in Kuwait which would cause expatriates’ annual health insurance fees to triple to not less than KD150 ($493).

Dubai: Du unveils Smart Healthcare Programme in UAE

Leading telecommunications operator du has unveiled the Smart Healthcare Programme on UAE Innovation Week at its interactive stands displaying how innovation can help save lives.
 
The Smart Healthcare Programme will address global healthcare issues, including risk of incorrect emergency diagnosis and lack of patient history access, as well as position Dubai as a global E-Health hub, said a statement.
 
The aim of the programme is to use the current and future Smart City infrastructure to embed medical record profiles into every resident’s Emirates ID.

Namibia: Travel update

Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. Even with fully comprehensive travel insurance, private hospitals in Namibia may insist on proof of payment (cash or credit card) before starting treatment.

Qatar: Qatar to provide health insurance for all expats next year

Qatar’s Social Medical Insurance Scheme (Seha) is set to be extended to expats from next year, according to the local media agency.

The Minister of Public Health, Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani told Qatar News Agency that the extension of health cover to expats is part of the third and last phase of Seha, which will include all resident employees, workers, domestic helpers and visitors. 

Tasweek to open healthcare tourism projects in Morocco

UAE-based Tasweek Real Estate Development and Marketing will officially open its award-winning Marrakesh Healthcare City (MHC) residential and healthcare complex in Morocco this December.

Earlier this year, the $60 million mixed-use development was named ‘Best Private Medical Project in Morocco and Africa’ at the 2015 Medical Expo in Casablanca. MHC was commended for its role in the emergence of state-of-the-art ‘Healthcare Cities’ and for boosting medical tourism in Morocco.