Law to provide health insurance for UAE expats by next year

Dubai, Nov 6 (UNI) The UAE government will bring in a federal law on health insurance by next year, which will provide health insurance to expatriates residing in Dubai and northern emirates, Minister of Health Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qutami said.

''We are hopeful that by 2008, a federal law on health insurance will be enacted to provide expat residents with health services in return for a health insurance premium,'' the Minister said.

More than half a million expatriates in Abu Dhabi are covered by a mandatory health insurance since July 2006.

''The draft law has been finalised and submitted to the Legislations Committee. It awaits approval of higher authorities,'' said Al Qutami was quoted by Khaleej Times as saying.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) had earlier suggested implementation of an insurance law with the aim of providing expatriates with medicare services at affordable prices, the Minister said.

''The policy will contribute to improvement in medical services available in the country,'' he added.

The insurance scheme might also help in providing expats with medicines at reasonable prices ''depending on the kind of insurance policy'', Al Qutami said.

UNI