MoH Kuwait to set up new health insurance system
Kuwait: The Ministry of Health (MoH) has started preparations for the implementation of the new insurance system for citizens and expatriates immediately after obtaining approval from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) last week, reports Al-Shahid daily quoting sources.
Affirming the commission has agreed on the establishment of a health insurance system, sources clarified the project is aimed at reactivating the insurance system for citizens and expatriates through a close coordination with the insurance companies. Sources said this step will give the insurance companies and private health sector a chance to play a bigger role in providing better medical services to the public.
Sources disclosed the ministry, through this project, will improve health services offered to citizens by reducing pressure on public hospitals. Sources added this will be achieved through the establishment of three hospitals covered by the insurance system for citizens and expatriates to pave the way for the development of a health insurance market propelled by the economic machineries in the free market. Sources said these hospitals will be established in Amghara, Dajeej and Sabahiya.
Meanwhile, eight hospitals would be expanded and integrated within the upcoming two years, said Undersecretary at the Health Ministry Abdulkarem Jaffar on Tuesday.
The ministry would also focus on developing transportation within the health sector, said Jaffar after the meeting for the council of the Health Ministries secretaries.
Jaffar also indicated that the conference on health insurance was also on the agenda of the meeting, revealing that the World Bank would be present at the event on Jan 17.
The establishment of health affairs secretariat was also discussed in the meeting, stated the official, who revealed that secretariat would focus on issues of paramount health importance such as allowing for approval of treatment abroad and other issues.
Meanwhile, head of the emergency medicine in the Health Ministry Dr Faisal Al-Ghanem told KUNA that the ministry ready to receive women element within the emergency department, revealing that there were 160 job positions to be filled by those eager to work.
In a related story, there will be a major reshuffle of the heads of departments at the hospitals, reports Al-Anba daily.
The daily quoted sources as saying the Civil Service Commission (CSC) approved between 30 and 60 percent salary increment for expatriate doctors, in an attempt to reduce the mass resignation of expatriate doctors and entice non-Kuwaiti medical practitioners into the country.
Meanwhile, reliable sources from the Ministry of Education said the CSC approved request by the Minister of Education Dr Mudhi Al-Hummoud to grant expatriate teachers housing allowance, reports Al-Nahar.
However, sources added social and psychology researchers will not be included in the new benefit.
Arab Times
