Expatriate workers welcomed the recent announcement by the Ministry of Health clarifying that foreign workers employed in companies with less than 100 employees and still not covered by the government mandatory medical insurance can avail of the medical services of government hospitals and clinics. The announcement also cited that foreign workers employed as housemaids, drivers, farmers, shepherds are entitled to free medical care in government hospitals and clinics. Many foreign workers still have doubts that these categories of workers are indeed provided free medical care; that employers, particularly owners of small establishments employing few workers, are sending their workers for treatment in government medical institutions. “We know for sure that many workers, particularly those working under the so-called kafil system, those who came through purchased visas, are not provided with medical treatment at all,” said Dr. Allan Notarion, president of the Filipino Overseas Workers Association (FOWA). The director of public relations at the Eastern Province Ministry of Health announced last week the list of foreign workers who are eligible to avail medical care in government hospitals, clinics, and medical centers. Sami Sulaiman, speaking on behalf of Dr. Aqeel A-Ghamdi, director general of health in the Eastern Province, said foreign workers employed in government agencies are extended free medical care provided their job contract stipulates that they are entitled to the medical program of the Saudi government. He said foreign workers employed as household help, drivers, farmers, and shepherd are admitted free of charge in government hospitals, clinics and medical centers. Also, workers employed in companies with less than 100 workers and therefore not still covered by the law to avail mandatory medical insurance (only employees employed in local companies with over 100 workers are covered by the medical insurance) can avail of the services of government medical institutions. “All foreign workers are provided medical facilities in all government hospitals and clinics, without exception,” said Sulaiman in his written answer to the questions raised by Saudi Gazette as to who among foreigners are eligible to avail of medical treatment from government medical institutions. He said foreign workers can also pay money to any government hospital to avail the particular treatment they wanted. “The policy is that all must be medically covered,” Sulaiman said in his written answers to the Saudi Gazette. Notarion said, however, that most employers leave the problem of medical care to these categories of workers. “They are most often on their own when it comes to medical care,” Notarion, an optometrist and contact lens specialist, said. Knowing the medical needs of these types of workers, Notarion is launching a monthly medical outreach program that will provide free consultation and check-up to its members who are not cared for and looked after by employers when it comes to their health security. FOWA, Notarion claims, has over 200 members, who are working in small establishments, like car shops and decoration companies, beauty parlors, and as household help. “Our members are the rank-and-file workers; they are in the lower rung of the community. Hence their medical care is neglected.” Foreign embassies also conduct periodic medical missions in their premises. The Embassy of Bangladesh in Riyadh recently concluded free medical consultations for the Bangla community in Riyadh. The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah also hold free medical and dental consultations for Filipino workers. __
