Private consultants have been appointed to develop a strategy for applying national health insurance in Bahrain.

Marsh Bahrain signed an agreement yesterday with the Supreme Council for Health (SCH), which will see it draw up a plan for the expatriate population.

Meanwhile, KPMG was assigned to draft a similar plan for the Bahraini population last week.

The firms will recommend procedures for the National Health Insurance Scheme (Sehati), which will be presented to the government in mid-2020.

Sehati was originally due to be rolled out this year, but is now unlikely to be implemented until the second half of next year at the earliest.

“The role of the consultants will be to develop the implementation plan for the execution of the National Health Insurance Scheme,” SCH secretary general Ebrahim Nawakhtha told the GDN.

Once Sehati is launched Bahrainis will continue to be eligible for free services at public health facilities.

A handbook on the scheme, released by the SCH in 2017, explains Bahrainis could pay an additional insurance premium to access private sector treatment.

It adds that expats would be covered by insurance paid for by their employers, which will entitle them to treatment at private and public facilities.

DEAL

“As per the plan, under the system developed by the company (Marsh Bahrain), all expats will be covered by insurance according to the law, which are all those who are (covered by insurance) paid for by their employer or sponsor,” said Mr Nawakhtha.

He explained that two different consultants were hired to ensure streamlined procedures for both nationals and foreigners.

“We needed a separate consultant to work on the part for expatriates as they form a large part of our population,” he said.

“The system will address all aspects of the scheme including services based on international standards.

“They will work under the directions of the Social Health Insurance Fund Authority (SHIFA) and we are designing the system that will be looked at from different aspects, including the funding.

“They will work in close co-ordination with all stakeholders of the National Health Insurance Scheme, which include private healthcare facilities, insurance companies, government entities associated with expats like the Labour Market Regulatory Authority and the iGA, as well as employers.”

The deal was signed yesterday by SCH chairman Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and Marsh Bahrain chief executive Abed Qasas in the presence of Health Minister Faeqa Al Saleh and Mr Al Nawakhtha.

“We are happy to provide support to the national programme of health insurance according to the best professional standards and will work closely with the SCH and all partners for the success of the national pilot project in Bahrain,” said Mr Qasas.

raji@gdn.com.bh

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