Doha - The introduction of a health insurance system is bound to increase accessibility to proper healthcare services by nationals and expatriates alike. Crowding at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) will also be minimised.
According to Dr Ashraf Karrara, a surgical consultant with a private clinic: "Health insurance is of great importance to national and expatriates. It is applied worldwide, including in countries like the UAE and Kuwait. Health insurance plays an important role in developing the health sector."
Implementation of a health insurance plan will also lead to even distribution of patients among public and private facilities, resulting in much of the burden being removed from the overstretched HMC. The number of private hospitals would also increase as a result.
Karrar said, however, that certain questions need to be answered before introducing a comprehensive health insurance system. For example, if premiums should be paid monthly or annually and whether companies or employees will bear the cost. "The main advantage of health insurance is that it provides health benefits to all segments of society."
A clerk in a construction firm, Hassan Mohammad, said: "Health insurance is necessary especially with the large crowds at public health facilities and the associated long waits to see a doctor. Insurance will mean patients can be evenly distributed in private and public hospitals and is motivation for a private facility to provide good service." Competition is also another aspect that in the end, will benefit patients as hospitals try to outdo each other to provide the best in health care.
An engineer, Jamal Abdul Majeed, said: "A law should be introduced where the state will require companies to cover employees' health insurance premiums. However, salaries should not be deducted for the premiums as this will add to the burden of people already reeling from the high cost of living."
Accountant Iyad Al Waziri stated: "Health insurance is not a luxury but a necessity. It is basic for human life. A big portion of the people will benefit, especially due to the overcrowding and the high costs of treatment that exist today."
A national, not willing to be identified, said: "Having a health insurance programme in the country indicates that a nation's health system is developed. The National Health Authority (NHA) should introduce this system as soon as possible. Many expatriates, as well as nationals, need this system desperately."
© The Peninsula 2006
