Elderly bear the brunt of high insurance costs
Mandatory medical insurance for all in the UAE is a step that we residents truly appreciate, as it is a great boon to the workforce, as well as low-paid employees. However, for elderly people, it becomes a cause for concern. Most elderly people in the UAE are either parents who stay on with their children, or investors who, after 20-30 years of employment, opt to run small-scale businesses, as they are very comfortable in the UAE and do not want to leave. Usually, those who prefer to stay are of sound health. Any ailing persons naturally prefer to remain in their home countries. Insurance agents or brokers should consider this logic when they quote hefty sums as premium for elderly people’s insurance. This is just unrealistic. Categorising elders as dependents or as employees with low income, insurance companies could consider including the group under their basic plan, with the application of terms and conditions. Basic plan limits minimum cover and has a limit on clinic visits, as well as a cap on the cost of medicines. Any extra cost exceeding the plan’s limits are borne by the concerned individual, at no additional cost to the insurer. This would be a great relief to many senior residents living in the UAE, and would result in no loss to the insurer. Insurance companies and underwriters need to look into this situation.
From Mr J. George
Dubai
Full name withheld on request
Time to buckle in
Finally (“Child safety seats a must in cars for children under 10”, Gulf News, March 9)! I’m sick of seeing parents allowing their children to jump around in the backseats without a seat belt on, never mind having a car seat! The worst is when they have their children on their lap while driving. It drives me insane. People think that they are indestructible when they are inside a car. Unfortunately, the driver usually has the seatbelt on and the children don’t. They are usually the first to get hurt in an accident as they fly out the windows. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) should conduct a serious campaign, sharing the hard facts from road deaths, and reinstate that seat belts are not just there for fun but are there to save lives.
From Ms Sarah Curly
UAE
Facebook comment
Ignorant parents?
Ms Sarah Curly, you are not the only one sick of seeing such a sight. Where I live, parents keep the roof of their car open and some wind down the windows, allowing their children poke their heads or part of their body out of the vehicle, even when it is moving. I have also seen children playing in the front seat while their dad or mum drive. Sometimes, you can see a mother holding the child with one hand while driving with the other. A good parent who values his/her children wouldn’t risk their lives like that. The authorities could organise a campaign regarding this issue, because some parents are so ignorant of the risks.
From Mr Manfred Anwanda
UAE
Don’t fine just yet
About time! But it’s not right to immediately fine unaware motorists. The authorities should run a massive awareness campaign. There should be posters, banners and advertisements everywhere that mention the risks and fines.
From Mr Ahmad Siar Ibrahimi
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Awareness necessary
I agree with Mr Ahmad Siar Ibrahimi. They could also involve car dealerships and the police force, to educate people about the proper installation of car seats. It’s a great initiative but needs proper implementation in order for car seats to be safe for children. This is a move that has been long overdue. The number one comment I get from coworkers or acquaintances who justify not using child car seats is that their children cry and don’t like them! I say, too bad, but who is the parent? Now that buckling them up is part of the law, they will need to enforce it and start new safe habits with their children.
From Ms Joanne Diggles
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Set an example
Along with these regulations, there should be very high penalties and even jail for people who do not follow the law. I have seen so many parents buckled up in their seats and driving recklessly, with their children standing up in the backseat of their cars, completely unbuckled! Should I mention how parents drive when they pick up their children from school? As parents, you are setting an example for your children. I have also seen children sitting in the passenger side of the front seat, without wearing a seat belt.
From Ms Viorica Les
Dubai
Facebook comment
No need for age limit
Everyone should wear a seat belt and there doesn’t need to be an age limit for it. Either all parties in a car wear one or they don’t drive!
From Ms Jane Gregson-Walters
Dubai
Facebook comment
Irony
It’s worth noting that the man responsible for freeing slaves in the US, Abraham Lincoln, was a Republican (“Republicans: A party that’s just not ready to govern”, Gulf News, March 9).
From Mr Elijah Kurt Urbano Chan
Cavite, Philippines
Facebook comment
Learn to drive in fog
Yet again, the fog is being blamed for accidents, and not the drivers who cannot cope with driving in these conditions (“15-vehicle pileup in thick UAE fog”, Gulf News, March 9). The same drivers do not or cannot read the many warning signs and advice issued by the authorities.
From Mr Fil Brewer
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Be patient
People are too restless while driving. Especially during conditions like fog, driving requires a lot of patience.
From Ms Rippendeep Kaur
UAE
Facebook comment
Too many risks
I’m glad something is being done about it. Maybe the fear of getting caught by the authorities and being fined would push people to consider their children’s safety. Otherwise, it appears people are very comfortable taking risks with their children’s lives. Unbelievable!
From Ms Gul Tamaam
UAE
Facebook comment
Startling numbers
It was alarming to read that 1.7 million children die due to air pollution every year. Industrial pollution is on the rise and it chokes us all. A report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) states that 62 cities around the world have issued health alerts since January. We should all take precautionary measures to protect our environment. Vehicle emissions and burning millions of tons of coal pose a major threat to our environment. It is disturbing to know that globally, more than nine out of ten people are living in areas where excess air pollution occurs. This increases the risk of major health problems, like heart disease, stroke and lung cancer. Burning fossil fuels and industries that use or manufacture coal, iron, steel and fertilisers are major drivers behind air pollution. Burning of plastic waste is another cause. We should plant more trees to mitigate the effects. Steps to keep old vehicles off the road should also help. Industries should be developed far away from residential areas and there should be regular checks on them. Fireworks during religious festivals should be minimised, as they too, harm the environment. Pure air is the right of each child born into this world and we should work towards providing them with a clean and safe environment.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
Gentleman’s game in trouble?
It is obvious that every Australian cricketer is supporting current Australian skipper Steve Smith, as they too, were doing the same thing he has been doing, in the past (“Ex-captains urge ICC to probe Smith”, Gulf News, March 9). While Smith admitted to his follies, which have now been confirmed by Peter Handscomb, some people feel we should take Smith’s words at face value. If that is so, why didn’t people believe Sachin Tendulkar during the Monkeygate Sydney Test in 2008? Though it is the duty of the match referee to mark the incident by fining Smith, the International Cricket Council (ICC) referees and umpires too, seem to be biased and are exonerating Smith. May God save the gentleman’s game!
From Ms Kavitha Srikanth,
Chennai, India
Editor’s note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @GNReaders.
