UAE, Dubai, February 28, 2017

The Dubai Health Authority announced that it has added three more health insurance companies to provide the Essential Benefits Plan insurance package, fixed between Dh550 to Dh650, so that those with salaries under Dh4,000 receive adequate cover.

By adding the Noor Takaful Insurance, Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company and Union Insurance, DHA is raising the number of insurance companies providing the essential benefits plan package from nine to 12 companies.

The Dubai Health Insurance Law No 11 of 2013 was adopted under the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. 

According to the Dubai Health Insurance Law that came into effect in January 2014, the legal liability for every sponsor is to provide an essential benefits plan insurance package—  fixed between Dh550 and Dh650.

The three additional companies where chosen out of 10 companies that applied to be a provider of the essential benefits plan package, after meeting the required criteria put by the DHA, which is at par with international standards.

The required criteria includes a technical data study, the results of their performance in an electronic system, the ability of the insurance company to provide a quality insurance package with the proposed price and the mechanisms proposed by the company to get to all members of the community— especially those with limited income.

His Excellency Humaid Al Qatami Chairman of the Board and Director General of the DHA reaffirmed that the authority is keen on raising the quality level of its services through its health insurance system Ishad (Happiness).

He said all health insurance companies must be committed to protecting members of society by providing them with quality healthcare services.

He added that providing a health care system that is at par with international standards is in line with the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai of raising Dubai to the number one status, in all fields—especially in the health sector.

He said that creating such an advanced healthcare system could also not have been possible without the support of His Highness Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and His Highness Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of finance and President of DHA. 

Al Qatami said that the DHA continues to make notable strides in meeting the Dubai Health Insurance Law No 11 of 2013 as it has succeeded in covering 98 per cent—more than four million—Dubai residents in the Dubai health Insurance scheme.

He added that there are now 50 insurance companies and Takaful that provide health insurance in Dubai through Ishad.

Dr Haidar Al Yousef, Director of Health Funding at DHA said that the essential benefits plan package covers many services that include ensures maternity, emergency, medical tests, referrals, medication etc.

He added that the essential benefits plan package ranges from Dh550 to 650 per year with an average of 584 dirhams, 5 per cent less than the average last year.

Meanwhile the family packages start from Dh650 and the elderly packages start from Dh2,500 per year.

Al Yousef advised those wishing to seek health insurance to read the health insurance policy to learn about the clinics covered in order to benefits from the insurance as much as possible.

The 12 Companies that provide the essential benefits plan package include:

Noor Takaful Insurance, Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company and Union Insurance, Axa Gulf Insurance, Takaful Emarat, Dar Al Takaful, Orient Insurance, Ras Al Khaima Insurance Company, Daman Health Insurance, Oman Insurance Company, Melife, National Insurance company

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:
Mahmoud Al Ali 
Head of Media
Dubai Health Authority 
myalali@dha.gov.ae
+9714 219 7260

Kamakshi Gupta and Noor Nazzal
Communications Analysts- Media Dept.
Dubai Health Authority 
Klgupta@dha.gov.ae  
NNNazzal@dha.gov.ae
+9714 2197455

About the Dubai Health Authority: 
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance is the President of the DHA and His Excellency Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qatami is the Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the DHA.

The DHA’s aim in Dubai is to provide an accessible, effective and integrated healthcare system, protect public health and improve the quality of life within the Emirate. This is a direct translation of the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Keeping the strategic plan in mind, the DHA’s mission is to ensure access to health services, maintain and improve the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, residents and visitors and oversee a dynamic, efficient and innovative health sector.

In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including hospitals (Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta), specialty centres (e.g. the Dubai Diabetes Center) and DHA primary health centres spread throughout the Emirate of Dubai.

The main pillars of service delivery at DHA health facilities are quality, efficiency, patients and staff.  It is our aim to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of DHA health services. An important aspect of the service delivery strategy is to focus on patients, their needs and satisfaction as well as attract, retain, nurture and support outstanding staff.

Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.

© Press Release 2017