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Mandatory Health Funding Scheme Put Under Review

DUBAI — The emirate is re-evaluating the deferred compulsory health funding scheme for all residents to make it suitable for the current financial conditions, a senior health official said.

However, the deferment has encouraged several private health establishments in Dubai to push for an increase of up to 70 per cent in treatment charges, which the Dubai Health Authority has partly allowed. Health establishments under the authority have not been allowed to increase charges.

“Yes, we are reviewing the existing plans and making new recommendations for the funding scheme,” Dr Yousaf Haider, Director of Health Funding at the authority told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the Arab Health Exhibition and Conference on Monday.

He did not give a new timeline, but said several changes could be expected. “Though it may be delayed, the scheme will eventually come through,” he said.

Talking about the increase in health fee, the official said, “We have agreed to reasonable increases, but rejected increases that are unjustified.”

“Establishments have been told to justify the increase,” Dr Haider said. “We will assess the quality of services and only then approve an increase only until five per cent,” explained Dr Haider, adding that several establishments had already retracted their demand.

The announcement to defer the scheme, at the request of stakeholders, had come as a major setback for Dubai’s low income bracket since it was largely employer funded.

According to the earlier announcement, employers or individuals would have to pay Dh500-800 to the Health Benefits Contribution pool on behalf of their employees, while patients would make a Dh25 co-payment.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com