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Expats resent new MoH fee

SHARJAH — The new fee introduced by the Ministry of Health (MoH) is not fair, agreed several expatriates in the Al Qasimi Hospital. The reaction of the patients came following the new fee introduced by the MoH for all surgical procedures from May 1.

A reliable source in the Al Qasimi Hospital told Khaleej Times that they had faced several objections regarding the fee, but none were that serious.

“We have implemented the new fee from the beginning of May and we have faced several difficulties with expatriates who have to pay the new fee. Fortunately, we have not faced any walkaway cases or a patient that is still pending in the hospital because he cannot pay the fee,” added the source.

“Personally, I agree with the fee due to the pressure we used to face. Several doctors and nurses and most expatriates have welcomed the new fee because it decreased the pressure on doctors and on the rooms. I think that the amount of money is fair. In case somebody came on an emergency, and he did not have any money on him, we go through with the same procedures and the patient enters the hospital, but we have to keep some identity documents with us to make sure that the patient is going to pay the money later.

In a previous interview with Khaleej Times, Dr Abdel Ghaffar Abdel Ghafour, Assistant Under-Secretary for Curative Medicine at the MoH, said: “The surgical fee, that will be charged to expatriate patients with valid health cards, will range from Dh500 to Dh4,000, depending on the type and complexity of the surgical procedure. Among the MoH hospitals expected to be affected by this decision are the Baraha Hospital in Dubai and the Al Qasimi Hospital in Sharjah.

Dr Ghafour explained that the spot insurance fee will be introduced to make sure patients do not leave the hospital without paying their bills. Ministry hospitals already charge patients for hospital rooms and any laboratory tests or x-rays they undergo during their stay. Medication given to patients is still free of charge.

“We have had many patients who left the hospital without paying their bills. This insurance fee will be introduced to curb this practice and make sure that the patients pay their bills,” Dr Abdel Ghaffar said.

Khaleej Times spoke to several patients in the Al Qasimi Hospital who disapproved of the new fee. A patient, who admitted his wife to the delivery room, said: “I cannot believe that the new fee structure is being seriously implemented. Unless we pay the money, my wife cannot be admitted to the hospital and she would have to deliver in the car.

“The new fee is not fair and I would prefer going to a private hospital rather than paying that much amount of money to a government hospital. At least if I am going to pay money, I should get better service.”

Another lady said: “After the new fee is implemented, what good is the health card for? We still have to pay large amounts of money in case I deliver a child or I have an operation. I believe that not all people are the same, and as for those people who run out of the hospital without paying their bills, the hospital should be blamed for not controlling their exit doors. We should not be punished and made to pay for the misdemeanour of a few.”

“I believe that the fee is rational as with that, it would be easier to organise the hospitals and decrease pressure on public hospitals, thus preventing medical errors. Personally, I believe that the fee should not be too high and it should take into consideration that not all expatriates have the money and the capability to pay such amounts, as they rely on the health card for their medical services,” said another patient.

The new fee includes: General surgery — ranging from Dh500 to Dh3,500; Paediatric surgeries — Dh400 to Dh2,750; Heart surgery — Dh500 to Dh4,500; Vascular surgery — Dh1,000 to Dh3,000; Neurological procedures — Dh450 to Dh3,500; Urinary tract surgeries — Dh500 to Dh2,500; ENT surgeries — Dh400 to Dh3,500; Ophthalmic surgeries — Dh500 to Dh2,500; Orthopaedic and trauma surgery — Dh500 to Dh3,000; Joint replacement surgeries — from Dh400 to Dh3,500; and Gynaecological procedures — Dh500 to Dh3,500.