Wednesday, Jan 18, 2012
Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: Members of the Federal National Council have complained that the lack of a uniform health insurance system across the country severely affects the health of citizens living in the northern emirates.
A federal law to provide a uniform health insurance to all citizens across the country has been on paper for 12 years now, but never seen the light, said Ahmad Al Amash, a member from Ras Al Khaimah.
He said the discrepancy in health care provided in Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates was as big as the difference between prevention and the lack of treatment.
Salem Al Ameri, a member from Abu Dhabi, agreed and said a motion should be submitted to the cabinet to fast track the law.
In a letter to the House, Obaid Humaid Al Tayer, State Minister of Financial Affairs, said the ministry had prepared a draft law to regulate health insurance for citizens and that it was submitted to the Cabinet, which forwarded it to the technical committee at the Ministry of Justice.
Remarks on the law from health authorities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai were taken into consideration and it will be issued in due course, the letter said.
Ahmad Mohammad Rahmah Al Shamsi, a member from Ajman, complained of the discrepancy in water and electricity tarrifs in different emirates.
Charged differently
The disparity in tariffs was blamed on operations cost for diesel-fuelled and gas-operated plants.
A letter sent by Mohammad Bin Daen Al Hamili, Minister of Energy, said different emirates were charged differently for the fuel, which caused a difference in tariff.
However, the letter said the tariff was only a fraction of the actual cost of water and electricity production, which is highly subsidised.
By Samir Salama, Associate Editor
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
