DOHA: The second phase of the national health insurance scheme, which is expected to be launched by April next year, could see participation of more private healthcare facilities including some polyclinics.
The second phase of the scheme will cover all citizens and most specialities, while expatriates will be covered in the third phase, scheduled to start in 2015.
The insurance scheme launched in July this year in the current and first phase covers Qatari females aged 12 and above for gynaecology, obstetrics, maternity and related women’s health issues. Seven hospitals, including three private hospitals are participating in the first phase, but none of the private clinics has been involved until now.
Al Ahli Hospital, Al Emadi Hospital and Doha Clinic (hospital) have already been included, besides Women’s Hospital of the Hamad Medical Corporation, Wakra Hospital, Cuban Hospital and Al Khor Hospital.
The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) recently held a forum for private clinics and hospitals to introduce them to the health insurance plan.
The forum, held in cooperation with the National Health Insurance Company (NHIC) was attended by more than 150 representatives of major clinics and hospitals in the country.
The participants were briefed on the requirements to join the scheme and the procedures for implementing the second phase, which entails providing more services.
Dr Faleh Mohamed Hussain Ali, assistant secretary general for policy affairs at the SCH and acting CEO of NHIC stressed the importance of such forums to introduce the new system to all stakeholders.
He said that the implementation of the national health insurance system is seen as a model for major transformation in the country’s healthcare sector, adding that “healthcare providers are our partners in translating this transform to success”.
It is very essential to help healthcare providers understand the mechanisms of that system and the purpose of launching it as well as the suitability of that system to align with Qatar long-term developmental goals, said Hussain. Director of Social Health Insurance Scheme, Hussein Reka explained the project structure and achievements, the research and consultation studies conducted and new opportunities of healthcare providers in view of this system.
“The launch of the first phase of this system in July 2013 was a result of four years of extended work including intensified consultations with stakeholders, public bodies, healthcare providers and businessmen. Furthermore, accurate researches and studies were conducted on similar systems in Germany, Denmark, France, South Korea. The aim of these studies was to measure and evaluate the best practices of these countries,” said Reka.
The mandatory health insurance scheme is a social and economical initiative ensuring that all citizens, residents and visitors have the access to quality-based healthcare through the choice of public or private healthcare providers, the forum was told.
The Peninsula
