Dubai: Emiratis in Dubai with no previous government or private insurance can now register on Saada, a smart insurance programme initiated by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
Saada meaning ‘happiness’ was launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Also present were Abdul Rahman Mohammad Al Owais, Minister of Health, Humaid Mohammad Al Qutami, Chairman of the board of DHA, and Dr Haidar Al Yousuf, Director of Public Health Funding at DHA.
The main features of this programme include mandatory preventive health screening and comprehensive health cover for all kinds of illnesses beginning from birth to last for the entire lifespan of an individual
Shaikh Mohammad, who attended the event, expressed his happiness with the completion of the programme, which reflects his interest in the health and happiness of Emiratis and residents. He emphasised that the health and education sectors topped his government’s priority list and added that he personally followed up on matters pertaining to both sectors in order to ensure that they achieve global standards.
Shaikh Mohammad pointed out that these two sectors were key indicators for a society’s safety and progress towards advanced levels of happiness and a socially and economically stable life.
Shaikh Mohammad ordered the chairman, board members and all employees of DHA to exert more efforts towards bolstering the culture of innovation in the field of medicine and to focus on research and studies that contribute to discovering modern treatment and recovery procedures. He also issued directives to develop the expertise and talents of national cadres, who require opportunities and encouragement, and to support the growth of creativity to ensure that it grows and spreads among the youth at the local and federal level, as well as in all sectors.
Shaikh Mohammad also praised the efforts of the programme’s work team, and congratulated them on their decisions that resulted in the completion of the programme and its practical implementation.
Al Qutami said the programme would allow those registered to benefit from services provided by private hospitals and their clinics. He added it would allow them easy access to high quality health-care services through a number of initiatives and smart systems that gauge medical performances and customer satisfaction.
What is Saada?
Elaborating on the programme, Dr Al Yousuf told Gulf News: “Saada as a smart insurance programme is very unique because it has been designed to focus on preventive health screening. While all claims can be settled through our e-claim portal, the insurance will have a special feature wherein it will send out reminders for preventive screening to all registered users periodically. Those enrolled must go on in for their regular diabetes, hypertension, oncology screenings depending on the conditions they are prone to based on their medical and family history. Those failing to take these screenings will have a problem renewing their insurance,” Dr Al Yousuf added.
Registration for Saada, which has Nextcare as its Third Party Administrator, opened today (June 3) and Emiratis in Dubai can log on to the website www.saada.ae to register using their national identity card. A detailed list of the health care providers and the conditions covered or exempted is provided on the website. Appointments can be made beginning today (June 3) said Dr Al Yousuf.
He added: “Our call centre (600569994) will be available 24/7 with Arabic speakers clearing doubts and questions of clients wishing to register. The programme covers about 20 private hospitals and 500 clinics in Dubai and a few outside the emirate as well. Mobile registration teams will be on site to register UAE nationals staying in remote areas of the emirate and we aim to register at least 20,000 UAE nationals per week and eventually about 130,000 in Dubai who are not currently covered by either the government scheme Enaya or any private insurance. If there are gaps remaining we will address it later. Those who are already enrolled in existing insurance cover need not worry as the benefits will be equalised. The registered candidate will have to bear 10 per cent of the cost of treatment.”
A spokesperson for another Third Party Insurance Administrator who requested anonymity said that Saada had evoked very positive sentiments in the insurance market. “We have welcomed Saada as it is an innovative smart insurance scheme with special emphasis on preventive screening which will help nip many diseases in the bud or help in better management. Currently, lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, strokes and certain kinds of cancers are on the rise, creating a huge expenditure burden on the community. Early screening will not only save huge funds being used in treating these diseases but also improve the quality of life and provide better life expectancy for people,” he said.
