EXCLUSIVE: Amendment submitted to keep healthcare free for Bahrainis
A new constitutional amendment that would seek to block any possible introduction of healthcare fees for Bahrainis in the future is ready for debate.
The move has been unanimously recommended by members of Parliament’s legislative and legal affairs committee chaired by Mohsin Al Asbool and submitted to Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam’s office for debate in October when the National Assembly convenes after the five-month recess.
Currently, Article 8a of the Constitution guarantees that every citizen receives free medical care through the establishment of hospitals and healthcare institutions.
“The amendment will ensure that all services are made available free through insurance cover that doesn’t see citizens making any payment whatsoever,” committee vice-chairman Mahmood Fardan told the GDN.
“People can get sick suddenly from illnesses that can be extremely expensive when it comes to checks, treatment and medication. They cannot be turned into beggars or left to die until an assessment is conducted to see if it matches the availability of allocated funding.”
Mr Fardan believes the proposed amendment is a “necessary guarantee” from which national health insurance could operate.
Citizens have every right to avail medical services and adding ‘free’ would stop any possible future government move aimed at recovering costs, fully or partially, for treatment, he added.
“People are worried that should they get sick in the future they might be forced to pay and have to choose between life under financial restraints, or opt to die,” he explained.
He believes the current legislation needs clarification and the proposed amendment would “cut the road” on any possible plan to introduce costs for treatment in the future.
A new health insurance fund – Shifa (Arabic for healing) – is set to oversee the launch of the National Health Insurance Scheme (Sehati) for Bahrainis and expatriates this year.
Under the fund, mandatory package for citizens are financed by the state and covers medical treatment at government facilities.
Optional package features the government paying 60 per cent of the fees with the patient footing the remaining 40pc as well as paying for treatment at public and private healthcare facilities.
Foreign residents are covered under the mandatory package either directly or through insurance companies, while additional services can be purchased, if desired.
Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed told the Shura Council that 19 health benefit categories that citizens would get through the compulsory free-of-charge package have been drawn up including contagious diseases.
Compulsory packages for expatriates have also been prepared with work currently ongoing to organise the implementation mechanisms and benefits in co-operation with experts and consultants in the field of health insurance.
The minister pointed out that the Supreme Council for Health (SCH) was currently working on getting the necessary approvals to launch the packages and start implementation, clearly stating inclusive or non-inclusive health services.
The scheme, which is expected to be fully implemented in the next three years, features five pillars: Autonomy of primary healthcare, restructuring of the Health Ministry, establishment of the National Health Data Dictionary and the National Centre for Health and Knowledge (Hekma), activating Shifa and a pool of private health insurance providers.
The planned services under Sehati’s compulsory packages for citizens include comprehensive primary health care, inpatient, outpatient and accidents and emergency services in Bahrain, in vitro fertilisation with conditions, medicines, all types of medical examinations, and treatment abroad, if required.
Services such as plastic surgeries, cosmetic dentistry, opticals, weight-loss surgeries, private nursing care, acupuncture, alternative medicine and private rooms are not included.
Sehati (My Health) will offer six packages benefiting citizens, expatriates and visitors.
“A decision on compulsory health insurance documents for Bahrainis and expatriates, which includes terms and conditions, will be shortly issued as we are working on them with the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB),” said Dr Al Sayyed.
“All contagious diseases will be covered ‘free’ for citizens as we are working on inclusive/non-inclusive packages for residents,” she added.
“We are still preparing the distinctive packages for Bahrainis and expatriates, which are set to be launched in its first phase shortly.”
Various factors including the pandemic has delayed the launch of Sehati, which was originally due to be implemented in 2019.
However, the government has been working on several aspects of the project, the latest of which is the Sehati health card for those affiliated with the Muharraq health centres.
The cards, also in line with the National Health Plan 2016-2025 with the Health Ministry’s highly acclaimed “Choose Your Doctor” scheme, are expected to be rolled out nationwide soon.
The chip-enabled card contains the patient’s medical history, test results, diagnoses and prescription details, which can only be read by authorised physicians.
Thirty-eight medical facilities have been earmarked to provide services under Sehati.
The GDN announced in October 2022 that a dry run for Sehati, without accounting and payment which would involve the government and some private hospitals, has been introduced ahead of its official launch this year.
