Plans have been drawn up for the distribution of Bahrain’s first batch of national health insurance cards.

The country is adopting a compulsory medical insurance programme called Sehati, which will provide cover for Bahrainis and expats.

A total of 150,000 recipients will be issued with Sehati cards in the first phase, which is already underway.

Those eligible for the first distribution are Bahrainis who have registered for a Choose Your Doctor scheme, which allows patients to select their preferred General Practitioner (GP).

They can now collect their Sehati cards from health centres in Bilad Al Qadeem, Isa Town, National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) Health Centre in Arad, National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) Health Centre in Karzakan and Ahmed Ali Kanoo Health Centre, in Eker.

“The Choose Your Doctor pilot programme has been designed to establish doctor-patient link to review medical outcomes such as radiation or lab results and reminders of chronic cases, preventive tests and provide guidance,” said a Health Ministry statement.

“In addition, the family doctors will be keen on improving the health of their registered patients, also through the programme the doctors will provide treatment services for chronic cases, as well as treatment of emergency and severe cases.”

The GDN reported in November that under Sehati, Bahrainis will be able to seek certain medical services for free at government-owned facilities.

Those choosing private sector hospitals or clinics will have to pay no more than 40 per cent of the cost, with the government picking up the balance.

GCC citizens, expatriates married to Bahrainis and children of Bahraini mothers will receive the same benefits.

Expatriate domestic workers, including housemaids, drivers, gardeners and nurses, will also be covered for free under the scheme.

Other expatriates will have to contribute to their medical costs in 16 of 19 set categories – excluding primary and limited secondary healthcare and emergencies – since they will enjoy only partial health coverage, paid for by their employers.

Charges for expat health insurance will be made through the Labour Market Regulatory Authority when work permits are issued or renewed.

The first Sehati cards are being distributed over a three-month period.

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