RIYADH, 30 April — Haj and Umrah pilgrims will be covered in the second phase of the cooperative health insurance scheme which will be introduced in the Kingdom shortly, Health Minister Dr. Osama Shubokshi told reporters after inaugurating a health insurance seminar and exhibition in Riyadh on Sunday.
“Five years after implementing the first stage, the ministry will submit a detailed report on the scheme to the Council of Ministers,” the minister said.
The council will also look into the positive features that can be incorporated in the second phase, the minister said while answering a question.
“The second phase will be applied to Haj and Umrah pilgrims as well as expatriates who are not covered in the first phase, and lastly to Saudis,” the minister added.
The first phase of the health insurance will be launched shortly. The scheme has been delayed because of time-consuming discussions with several related agencies during the past 20 months.
Speaking on the readiness of the insurance companies to implement the scheme, he said a committee in the Cooperative Health Insurance Council will evaluate and grade the companies and another committee will classify the hospitals.
The first phase of the scheme will be a test for the companies and hospitals involved and will provide them an opportunity to prove their ability to offer the required services, the minister said. He added that the establishments which perform better will be given priority in the later phases. He also said the evaluation process will be carried out every year.
The minister made it clear that the insurance will be compulsory only for expatriates, not for Saudis, in the first phase. Insured people residing in remote regions without hospitals will be treated at government health facilities such as military hospitals.
