THE establishment of a modern healthcare network and social services system has been one of Saudi Arabia's most stunning successes. The recently enacted health insurance law requires sponsors to purchase private (cooperative) health insurance for their expatriate employees and their dependents. “The government's decision regarding health insurance for expats is commendable. It is a major step towards their better health and working conditions. I hope that all expats benefit from this initiative,” said Mohammad Qaisar Ul Islam, Bangladeshi labor consul at the Bangladeshi Consulate in Jeddah. The Health Ministry is developing key implementation regulations and decrees concerning premiums, certification criteria for insurers, participation standards for medical care providers, payment methods, institutional arrangements for regulation of the private insurance industry, and transition steps for coverage for all expats (e.g., starting with large firms (500 employees or more)). The new law has a provision indicating that the government must evaluate the cooperative health insurance system after three years in order to develop a formal health insurance system for all the Kingdom's inhabitants as a second phase of this reform. ‘World Health Day' was celebrated on April 7; this year's theme highlighted the importance of investing in health infrastructure that can withstand hazards and serve the immediate needs of the people. “Celebrating World Health Day makes us aware of the key health issues. A large number of expatriates do not know how to protect themselves from common ailments,” said Dr. Nazwa, a Lebanese doctor in Riyadh. A World Health Organization (WHO) initiative, World Health Day attempted to raise awareness about emerging issues of global health. “The celebration of World Health Day reminds us how important it is to stay healthy. A healthy mind exists only in a healthy body. A campaign to create awareness about good health is more likely to be successful among the educated, especially, among teachers and students in schools and colleges/universities,” said Dr. M. Solaiman Ali, an American national working in the Faculty of Engineering at the King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah. Underscoring the importance of the media in spreading health-related awareness, he said: “Physical activity, adequate relaxation, a sense of purpose, drive for success and a balanced diet are the key points to staying in the pink.” Takaya Matsumoto, a Japanese teacher in Jeddah, says he is satisfied with health facilities in the Kingdom. “Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, laboratories and research facilities of great quality are available to all residents. General medical facilities are not very expensive, making it easy for expatriates to afford them,” he said. So what are the common health concerns of expats here? “In the Kingdom, expats of varied nationalities generally suffer from common diseases that they can easily avoid, such as, colds, respiratory tract infection, bronchial asthma, bronchitis, etc. These result due to factors like overexposure to air coolers/conditioners, too much intake of chilled water, soft drinks, etc. With some additional care, all these can be avoided,” said Dr. Anisur Rahman, a Bangladeshi physician working in a private clinic in Jeddah. He said amoebiasis is a widespread problem here due to a lack of knowledge regarding personal hygiene. “One must wash one's hands and clean utensils properly before meals,” Dr. Rahman added. Primary healthcare services for meeting everyday needs, such as, safe childbirth facilities, immunizations and chronic diseases' care, emergencies, etc, remain at the center of any healthcare system. Today, Saudi nationals have access to a national network of many hospitals and clinics, and can obtain virtually any specialized medical treatment without having to travel elsewhere. Moreover, medication is available to patients at a reasonable price, thanks to subsidies from the government. Saudi companies are also encouraged to manufacture pharmaceuticals. “However, though the national health system here is better than that of most developing countries of Asia and Africa, it has yet to reach all sections of society,” said Dr. Ali. About SR52 billion have been allocated in the annual budget to increase the capacity of the Kingdom's hospitals, and improve primary health care. “To reach all its goals in the health sector, Saudi Arabia needs to increase the foreign workforce in this segment. For example, many Bangladeshi health experts specializing in all medical sciences are produced every year. However, unlike most well-equipped public and private sector hospitals in the Kingdom, hospitals in Bangladesh do not offer very satisfactory services,” said Dr. Rahman. He said that though he is content with the health facilities for expats in the Kingdom, an all-encompassing health insurance scheme for expats is more important.
