Government-funded health insurance schemes

Thiqa

The Thiqa programme is under the supervision of the Abu Dhabi Government. In cooperation with the National Health Insurance Company (Daman), the government introduced this scheme in 2008.

Through Thiqa, which is Arabic for “trust”, Daman provides all nationals living in Abu Dhabi with a Thiqa card. The card gives access to a large number of private and public healthcare providers registered within Daman’s network. It also includes broader geographical coverage and extra health benefits.

Recently, the insurance plan was changed and all Emiratis and expatriates are now paying more for healthcare at private facilities though procedures at government hospitals remain unchanged.

Under the new rules, Thiqa cardholders will now pay 20 per cent of the cost of treatment at private hospitals. Previously the plan fully covered the cost of all procedures at private health centres.

However, cardholders continue to receive full coverage at all government hospitals in the emirate. Outside Abu Dhabi, Thiqa will cover 50 per cent of the cost of treatment. Earlier, 90 per cent was covered.

The number of IVF (in vitro fertilisation) treatments available to Emiratis at private hospitals have also been reduced from three to one per year.

Saa’da

For an Emirati to register for the programme, the following is a pre-requisite: > A valid Emirates identity card > A Family Book issued by the Emirate of Dubai > DHA patient ID number, if available An appointment can be booked through the Saa’da Mobile application or the website, www.saada.ae. They can alternatively call 600569994 to book an appointment. Multiple primary healthcare centres of the authority have been allocated for the Saa’da enrollment process.