Dubai: The Health Ministry has made emergency treatment in public hospitals free for all, regardless of the patient's ability to pay.
Treatment for patients in acute emergencies and critical conditions is already free to patients in public hospitals under the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms) and Abu Dhabi General Authority on Health Services (Gahs).
Dr Ali Shakar, undersecretary at the ministry, told Gulf News that patients would not be charged for emergency procedures needed to save their lives or essential body functions at ministry hospitals, in the Northern Emirates and Dubai.
"Any emergency that threatens the life or functions, such as limbs or sight, will be free," he said. Patients who are in critical conditions and require critical care, such as those in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), are also included in this exemption.
"In heart attacks [for example] we do everything [to save the patient]. Once they become stabilised, we can start charging," he added.
Exempted
He said that two consultants would determine when the patient was out of danger, at which point the finance department would collect payment information and start billing the patient.
The charges will start from the point the patient stabilises and not retroactively.
The exemption does not affect private hospitals, which continue to charge patients for all forms of treatment, including emergencies. However, some private hospitals have humanitarian funds to pay for emergency treatment for needy and poor patients.
Dr Anita Shetty, head of operations at Belhoul Specialty Hospital, told Gulf News that the hospital had a small fund set aside to pay for emergency treatment of poor patients.
Have your say
Will this ensure that more people will get healthcare when needed? Do you think private hospitals should follow suit? Share your views.
Your comments
As a critical care physician, I consider this decision to be great and I encourage people who are sick to present themselves to ER as early as possible. However, I believe that most of the private hospitals are not able to handle critical illnesses as the major government hospitals can.
Al Kaabi S
Alain,UAE
It is a good gesture and should be applied to private sectors too.
M Zafar
Delhi,India
This is a great move, the private hospital should follow suit since life is worth more than money.
R Fernandes
Dubai,UAE
Life cannot be retrieved even if we want to. So any life threatening emergencies should get immediate attention. At least in this way government hospitals/departments should set an example for other departments for giving priorities to emergencies. This will also prompt people to visit the government hospitals rather than crowding the private hospitals.
S Baiju
Abu Dhabi,UAE
This rule should be applicable to other emirates and should make sure that private sectors provide this facility to all.
Manikanadan Kookal
Kerala,India
Appreciate the good practice that has commenced, which will by far cater to the less fortunate sectors. But nevertheless, the authorities should take a firm stand so that all organisations, big or small, at the time of inception and visa application ensures that every employee has a valid insurance coverage policy towards medical illness and life, even if it means deducting a nominal charge (of AED 25) from the employees salary.
L F C Rodrigues
Dubai,UAE
A good humanitarian action from the rulers.
Jayasanker
Dubai,India
Absolutely a classic decision from the government. For emergency treatment, all hospitals should keep aside a percentage of their profit as humanitarian fund
J jacob
Sharjah,UAE
