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Conference News |Dubai |
Staff Reporter | Monday, January 28, 2008
UAE to establish health insurance regulator
(Dubai Health & News)
The establishment of a federal health
insurance authority to regulate the industry across the United Arab
Emirates has moved a step closer, it was confirmed at Arab Health, the
Middle East's largest medical event for healthcare professionals, which
opened in Dubai today.
Arab Health - taking place until 31
January at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre
which showcases the latest medical breakthroughs and technical
developments from over 65 countries - was inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammed
bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE and
Ruler of Dubai. He visited several of the stands of the more than 2,200
exhibitors.
Progress on the establishment of a
federal health insurance regulatory body was outlined yesterday by Dr
Ajit K. Nagpal, former adviser to the UAE Ministry of Health and a
member of an inter-ministerial committee on health insurance, taking
part in the Health Insurance Forum, one of the 18 conferences that make
up the Arab Health Conference - the world's most comprehensive
healthcare programme.
Compulsory health insurance for expats
and their dependants began in Abu Dhabi, the federal capital of the UAE,
this month and Dubai, the UAE's biggest emirate in population terms, has
established a steering committee with compulsory insurance expected to
be introduced this year. Other emirates are expected to follow suit.
The introduction of a federal authority
to regulate UAE standards in compulsory health insurance cover and
diagnostics have been discussed for a number of years but current
developments have gone further than previous attempts, Dr Nagpal said.
"The proposals are now ready and they are seeking comments from the
various emirates," he added. Other ministries, such as justice,
labour and health are also being consulted.
Arab Health, expected to break new
records attracting 50,000 visitors from all over the world, was
described yesterday by Humaid Al-Qutami, the UAE Minister of Health, as
"the greatest science gathering in the Middle East and the Arab
world." Al-Qutami said it was the second largest healthcare
exhibition worldwide.
Arab Health, organised by IIR Middle
East, is held annually in January.
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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum,
Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,
inaugurates Arab Health today and visited several of the stands of
the more than 2,200 exhibitors.
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