DOHA: Qatari women would be among the first beneficiaries of the proposed national insurance scheme, when a pilot project is implemented next year targeting certain segments of the society.
Once fully implemented, the insurance scheme will cover all the nationals and residents, as well as visitors to the country.
Dr Faleh Mohammed Hussain, assistant undersecretary for policy affairs at the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) has said that the second phase of the project had started in February this year and would be completed by middle of next year.
"We have prepared a pilot project for the second phase that will continue until the middle of 2012. The third and final phase will see the actual implementation of the scheme," Faleh Hussain said in an interview with Al Sharq. He said that the pilot project would target certain segments and services including maternity services for Qatari women. The pilot project will help identify the strengths and weaknesses of the scheme.
A company owned by the SCH will be set up to manage the health insurance system in cooperation with private insurance companies, he added. All these companies will be linked online to facilitate implementation of the scheme.
This will be part of another project to link all the health care facilities in the country electronically for smooth transfer of medical data.
The SCH will soon sign an agreement with a private company to provide online health services at the Hamad Medical Corporation and the primary health centres, said the official.
A new law regulating health insurance will be issued in the next few months, which will also provide the foundation for a national health system.
The recently established National Council for Specialisations will monitor the performance of all the doctors in the country and investigate complaints from patients.
The SCH is currently reviewing the rules for issuing licences to healthcare practioners and facilities, he added. Now the physicians and other health care professionals seeking a licence to practice in Qatar can take the licensing test online in Qatar or outside the country.
However, the employer should decide if a person who has passed the tests has the experience and the competence to work in the respective field.
© The Peninsula 2011
