Riyadh: NCCI Group Marketing Manager, Ahmed Al-Shalan, announced that the company has recently put the finishing touches on its new insurance product, Manasek. The new insurance plan provides emergency medical and personal accident insurance protection for Hajj pilgrims and performers of Umra during their stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Al-Shalan went on to say "Approximately 2 million Hajj pilgrims and 5 million performers of Umra visit Saudi Arabia every year. During their stay some of them are susceptible to accidents, injuries, sickness, heat exhaustion, and (god forbid) death."
The Plan is designed to help Hajj pilgrims and performers of Umra, and their families, in facing dire situations. Manasek policy provides a maximum coverage of SAR 50,000 (US$ 13,333) in compensation for accidents that may face Hajj pilgrims or performers of Umra during their stay in the Kingdom. NCCI, through Manasek policy, guarantees the return of the remains of the policyholder to his/her home country at a cost up to SAR 10,000 (US$ 2,667). Also, the policy covers emergency health care for the policy holder up to SAR 25,000 (US$ 6,667).
Al-Shalan stated that NCCI will provide its policyholders with a list of medical service providers. The list will mainly cover Makkah and adjoining holy sites, Medina and Jeddah, and will assist policyholders in locating suitable medical service providers in emergency cases to receive needed care without paying any fees. The coverage becomes affective once the insured person enters Saudi Arabia and is valid for one month. The policy can be extended for another one month with an additional premium.
Al-Shalan went on to explain that Manasek Insurance Plan targets foreign organizers of Hajj and Umra trips. Manasek Program will help these companies in fulfilling their responsibilities towards their clients as stipulated by Saudi law. The aim of these laws and the new program is to provide an accepted level of care for Hajj pilgrims and performers of Umra.
Al-Shalan indicated that NCCI has taken into account the heavy financial burden on the Hajj pilgrim and the performer of Umra, thus keeping the premium at a reasonable rate. The cost of insurance is determined at SR 100 (US$ 27) per insured person per month. The period of cover may be extended to another month against an additional contribution amount of SR 100 (US$ 27).
Statistics show that over 1,000 Hajj pilgrims die annually in Makkah and Medina for different reasons. Also, 11,800 Hajj pilgrims are admitted to hospital. The total number of Hajj pilgrims visiting health centers, hospitals, and emergency medical facilities during the period 1-15 Dhu Al-Hijjah (the Hajj season) reach 860,443 per year. This does no include the cases of deaths and illness incurred by Umra performers.
In conclusion, Al-Shalan emphasized that NCCI's new Manasek Plan will help in supporting hospitals and medical clinics by taking on the financial burden of its clients. This support will help the industry in strengthening its services and developing its ability to provide a high standard of medical care for the increasing number of Hajj pilgrims and performers of Umra.
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© Press Release 2005
