So far more than 70,000 nationals have registered for the insurance and have received immediate benefits of the scheme.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dubai, September 30, 2015

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) held today its monthly 'Leaders at Your Service' initiative to provide customers with an opportunity to directly express their feedback, suggestions and complaints to senior DHA leaders.

Sheikha Al Rahoomi, Director of Customer Relations Department at the DHA highlighted the importance of this initiative and said that this initiative provides customers with a direct platform to communicate with the leaders of the DHA and give their suggestions, feedback or complaints.

Calls received during the two hour live session via the DHA's help line no 800 342 are recorded and promptly followed-up. In addition to this, the DHA has several platforms for customer feedback and communication.

Dr Haidar Al Yousuf, Director of Health Funding at the DHA took part in today's initiative.

He discussed the SAADA health insurance scheme for nationals in Dubai. SAADA means happiness in Arabic and the scheme is applicable for all nationals in Dubai who do not benefit from any other Government funded health insurance cover.

He addressed several queries about the registration process, eligibility, coverage and co-payment.

Al Yousuf said: "The SAADA network has a wide range of providers and the co-payment is 10 per cent. The scheme provides access to a host of preventive, in-patient as well as out-patient health services. SAADA is a pioneering program that has mandated preventive screening because we understand the importance of early detection. The program has adopted the use of an Emirates ID card which can be used by patients while registering at the care provider they select from the approved network of care."

Al Yousuf highlighted that so far more than 70,000 nationals have registered in the program. The registered members received immediate access to health services under the scheme. Until now, 833 operations were conducted, 1162 in-patients and 12,092 out-patients utilized the services.

-Ends-

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 the 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 2015