Doha, 05 February 2014 - An ever increasing number of Qatari women are benefiting from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as the system marks six month since its launch. A total of 30,780 women have been treated under the scheme as of 17th January, which under Stage 1 is open to Qatari women aged 12 and above for maternity, obstetrics, gynaecology and related women's healthcare needs.

These included 5,672 inpatients and 25,118 outpatients at participating hospitals and clinics, while the call center received over 2,269 enquiries during its first six months of operations.

"The launch of the National Health Insurance Scheme represents a major milestone in the modernization of Qatar's health sector. The first six months since the introduction of the scheme have gone very smoothly despite the magnitude of the changes the NHIS heralds for large portions of the health sector," explained Dr. Faleh Mohamed Hussain Ali, acting CEO of the National Health Insurance Company (NHIC) which manages the NHIS.

Among the NHIS' successes during its first six months is the maternity management programme, a dedicated service that provides expecting mothers with information, counsel and practical advice on a range of pregnancy, child-birth, and post-partum related issues. Response to the programme has been overwhelmingly positive with a total of 328 women having benefited from the programme to date. Programme participants are supported by a team of trained nurses who counsel the expecting mothers on an individual basis throughout their pregnancy and delivery.

The NHIS forms a key milestone in the realization of the National Health Strategy and Qatar's long-term development objectives. Stage 2 of the scheme will see coverage expanded to all Qatari nationals for the full range of basic health services during 2014 while subsequent stages will gradually incorporate non-national residents and visitors.

Users of the scheme will be able to select from a wide range of public and private healthcare providers for their medical needs. The NHIS network currently includes eight providers - HMC Women's Hospital, Al Emadi Hospital, Al Ahli Hospital, Doha Clinic Hospital, Al Wakra Hospital, Al Khor Hospital, the Cuban Hospital, and since the beginning of February, Al Hayat Medical Center, a private healthcare facility located in Doha's Al Waab district and the first private polyclinic to open its doors to Stage 1 beneficiaries of the Scheme. More hospitals and clinics are expected to be added as the scheme expands.

Information and updates on the scheme are available at the NHIC website www.nhic.qa. Members can also call the NHIC call centre on telephone 4020 8444 or visit one of the NHIC information booths at participating hospitals and at the Supreme Council of Health's headquarters in Doha.

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About the National Health Insurance Company
The National Health Insurance Company (NHIC) manages and operates the social health insurance scheme in of the State of Qatar. The scheme provides universal health insurance for all Qatari citizens, residents and visitors and offers its members a choice of providers from across the public and private sectors. NHIC and the National Health Insurance Scheme are key components of realising Qatar's National Health Strategy and the overall Qatar National Vision.

Visit www.nhic.qa more information.

© Press Release 2014