DAMMAM, 17 January — Experts from the Gulf Cooperation Council states and the Kingdom explored ways of implementing health insurance scheme within the existing cultural, social and religious environment at a symposium here yesterday.
Eastern Province Governor Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd called on participants in the first GCC symposium on Cooperative Health Insurance to study the issue in detail to ensure the "productive implementation" of the scheme. The two-day symposium is being organized at the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
EPCCI president Khaled A. Al-Zamil, who opened the symposium on behalf of Prince Muhammad, read the governor's message. Prince Muhammad said health care was the prime concern of the Saudi government. It has implemented several projects and programs for the benefit and welfare of the citizens and residents.
The symposium is being jointly organized by the chamber and the Alkhobar-based Arab Development Institute.
Dr. Nabil Qurashi, associate professor at King Faisal University and vice chairman of the symposium's scientific committee, in his introductory remarks highlighted the relevance of cooperative insurance as the cost of providing quality medical care had been increasing steadily during the past several years.
He thanked Prince Muhammad for his support for holding the symposium and hoped that experts would come out with concrete recommendations for implementing the scheme, especially as Saudi Arabia is soon to introduce mandatory health insurance for expatriate employees in the country as a first step.
Dr. Ibrahim A. Al-Mutrif, secretary-general of the EPCCI and chairman of the organizing committee, said the chamber had organized an integrated package of promotional services to help the private sector in its endeavors.
The symposium will be followed by a workshop covering several aspects of health care insurance on Thursday. The workshop, in 10 sessions, will be supervised by experts from Europe, the Gulf states and the Kingdom.
