Health insurance company for expatriates
Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 12:19PM Sources within Kuwait's MOH have leaked this report written in 2010 by The Advisory Group, a for-profit health care consultancy based in Kuwait. As you will read, this proposes the segregation of Kuwait's health system by restricting access for 2 million expatriates to three secondary care hospitals and 15 primary care clinics. This is the basis for the recently announced health insurance company and hospitals. Such plans were made to alleviate complaints made by Kuwaitis filed to the Health Minister and members of the Parliament regarding waiting times at health care facilities.
The KHI and members of the international public health community stand firmly against such practices, which promise to further segregate the health system and lead to inequities in access and delivery of care to the most destitute populations. Kuwait already segregates its primary care clinic hours and, in some hospitals, its intensive care unit beds. These populations that include low-income workers and domestic servants already suffer social and financial hardships as documented by several local and international agencies. Furthermore, as evidenced by feedback the KHI obtained from renowned health economists and policy experts, such a proposal will likely fail in delivering better, more cost-effective, and sustainable care.
Reader Comments (5)
Dear Nadeem,
Thanks for the post, so what to is the solution for such a a plan?
Unfortunately, there are no simple solutions. By moving forward with this, the country has defined an undesirable ethical logic that counters basic human rights and principles of social justice. But, as mentioned, beyond the ethical argument, there is a strong financial incentive to do the right thing (i.e. covering everyone equally), something our decision-makers could relate to more easily if they listened to the right experts.
Although it is almost impossible to reverse the damage done by these strong vested interests, we should, at the very least, use this as a pretext to initiate a comprehensive debate on the way our health system is being shaped. This is what our group will be focusing on in the coming weeks and months.
every one should be treated the same... one hospital for all....I think we should learn from the Canadian system. for example every kuwaiti treated the same as non kuwaiti, and they are all covered by MOH, except medications, which require a drug plan.
I think if the government wants to do something for kuwaitis, they should buy kuwaiti a drug plan, that is all, other wise benifits can be offered to any employee if the employer wishes too.
I've no idea how they think they can get away with this. Surely someone will get in their way. They cannot segregate people based on nationality. Whatever happened to the Hippocratic Oath?
I'm a student in the UK, because I'm a long term resident I'm allowed to use the NHS. They've always treated me equally, same as a British Citizen. I've had medications and scans (an MRI even!) the same as any Brit would have.
Thank you for your post, I was wondering on where the best places are to get the best up to date information about global insurance? I am soon to be an expat and came across your website. I had been researching and learnt alot from CIGNA Global but I was wondering what other resources you have used?