Doha

The government has decided to suspend the current health insurance service provided through the National Health Insurance Company (NHIC) and entrust it with private insurance companies.

After the Cabinet reviewed the present system at its regular weekly meeting yesterday, it was decided to rely on private insurance companies with experience in the field to provide health insurance services, the official Qatar News Agency (QNA) reports.

Health insurance services for citizens will be continued to be provided without any additional burden on them, and “the Supreme Council of Health shall, during a brief period, agree with a company or more from the private sector health insurance companies to provide health insurance services to citizens,” QNA said.

Following the Cabinet decision, the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) announced that the insurance services provided by the NHIC will be suspended as of December 31, 2015.

The SCH said that the Council in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance will provide Qatari nationals with insurance coverage through one or more leading insurance companies in the country within the next six months, and without placing extra burden on the citizens.

Details of the insurance scheme and subscription will be announced soon, the SCH statement said.

The NHIC is a government-owned entity that manages and operates Seha, the national health insurance scheme in Qatar. The scheme provides mandatory health insurance coverage through a network of public and private clinics and hospitals.

Stage 1 of the scheme was launched in July 2013, covering Qatari females aged 12 and above for gynaecology, obstetrics, maternity and related women’s health conditions. The second stage that came into force on April 30, 2014, provides comprehensive insurance coverage to all Qatari nationals for their basic health care needs.

The third and last phase of the scheme which will include all residents and visitors is scheduled to start next year, HE the Minister of Public Health Abdullah bin Khalid al-Qahtani had said in October this year.

“However, adding workers to the third phase will coincide with the opening of new hospitals planned for single workers next year," he had explained at a press conference.

Speaking about health insurance for expatriates, HE the Minister had said employers would pay the cost of insurance for their staff and the premium would not be deducted from their salaries.

After the Cabinet held its regular weekly meeting under the chairmanship of HE the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani , Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs HE Ahmed bin Abdullah al-Mahmoud said a draft law on measurement was also endorsed at the session.

 

National Committee of Measurement to be established

 

The draft law aims to establish uniform rules for the units of measurement and identify related stakeholders in the state. It includes many of the new provisions, such as definitions and units of measurement, the establishment of a technical committee of specialists called the “National Committee of the Measurement”, control procedures for legal measuring instruments and inspection procedures, and other provisions that ensure compliance with legislation and international practices in this regard.

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