Council of Ministers suspends health insurance law for retirees for one year
Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, the Minister of Health, said the ministry is dedicated to delivering services with the required quality to ensure that citizens receive the care they deserve.
• The Council of Ministers decided to terminate the contract due to the company’s failure to meet its obligations and refusal to extend the contract without demanding price increases and exemptions from financial guarantees.
At its weekly meeting on Tuesday, the Council of Ministers approved a draft decree-law to temporarily suspend the provisions of Law No. 114 of 2014 on health insurance for retired citizens, as amended by Law No. 71 of 2023, for one year from the decree-law’s effective date, according to Al Qabas newspaper.
During the meeting, the Council of Ministers heard an explanation from Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi, Minister of Health, regarding the Ministry of Health’s decision last Thursday to terminate its contract with the company providing health insurance services to citizens under the ‘Afya‘ program. This decision was made due to the company’s failure to meet its obligations and refusal to extend the contract unless its conditions were met, including price increases and exemption from certain financial guarantees specified in the contract.
Dr. Al-Awadhi explained that the ministry consulted with the relevant authorities to determine the legal procedures to be followed, and after receiving a response from the Fatwa and Legislation Department, the ministry issued a decision to terminate the contract.
The Minister of Health stressed that the aim of terminating the contract is to preserve public health and public funds. He emphasized the Ministry of Health’s commitment to providing necessary healthcare to citizens, noting that their well-being is a priority. The ministry is dedicated to delivering services with the required quality to ensure that citizens receive the care they deserve.
