More than 4 million Dubai Residents now have health insurance

UAE, Dubai, December 25, 2016

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announced that 98 per cent of Dubai residents—more than 4 million— now have health insurance.

His Excellency Humaid Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board and Director General of DHA said that this big accomplishment adds to Dubai’s numerous achievements, making it among the pioneers in the health field.

He said that exceeding the 4 million mark is a testimonial to the level of awareness that Dubai residents have about the importance of the insurance law in preserving their safety and health. He added that it also reaffirms their trust in the health services, programs and initiatives of the authority. 

The Dubai Health Insurance Law No 11 of 2013 was adopted under the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. 

According to the Dubai Health Insurance Law that came into effect in January 2014, the legal liability for every sponsor is to provide an essential insurance package—  fixed between Dh550 and Dh700— so that those with salaries under Dh4,000 receive adequate cover.

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Dr Haidar Al Yousuf, Director of Health Funding at DHA said that all the insurance companies are working nonstop to cope with the companies and individuals who want to get the health insurance. He added that there has also been large number of online transactions on the insurance company’s websites.

Al Yousef also said that it is expected that the rest of the residents who did not complete the procedures will do so in the upcoming days. 

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About the Dubai Health Authority: 
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance is the President of the Dubai Health Authority and His Excellency Engineer Essa Al Maidoor is the Director-General of the DHA.

The DHA’s aim in Dubai is to provide an accessible, effective and integrated healthcare system, protect public health and improve the quality of life within the Emirate. This is a direct translation of the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Keeping the strategic plan in mind, the DHA’s mission is to ensure access to health services, maintain and improve the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, residents and visitors and oversee a dynamic, efficient and innovative health sector.

In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including hospitals (Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta), specialty centres (e.g. the Dubai Diabetes Center) and DHA primary health centres spread throughout the Emirate of Dubai.

The main pillars of service delivery at DHA health facilities are quality, efficiency, patients and staff.  It is our aim to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of DHA health services. An important aspect of the service delivery strategy is to focus on patients, their needs and satisfaction as well as attract, retain, nurture and support outstanding staff.

Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.

© Press Release 2016