Harbi breaks ground on new hospital for expatriates

KUWAIT: Health Minister Dr Jamal Al-Harbi (right) and other officials take part in a groundbreaking ceremony for a health insurance hospital for expats in Ahmadi governorate yesterday. – Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: The annual health insurance fees for expats will jump to KD 130 as new hospitals and clinics that will exclusively serve foreign residents are being built. The Health Assurance Hospitals Company (Dhaman) and Health Minister Dr Jamal Al-Harbi yesterday took part in a groundbreaking ceremony for such a hospital in Ahmadi governorate. Harbi told reporters the health insurance hospital is one of the main components of the healthcare system for expatriates, which is implemented and managed by Dhaman as a leading development model for public-private partnership within the government's work program and development plan.

Dhaman CEO Dr Ahmed Al-Saleh said according to ministry decisions, health insurance for expats will cost KD 130 ($425) annually, covering primary and secondary healthcare. He noted that increasing the insurance fees from KD 50 to KD 130 came after thorough comparative studies of the systems followed in other GCC states and the development factors sought in Kuwait.

Harbi said over two million expats working for the private sector and that their families will benefit from the Dhaman health services in various governorates. Two additional hospitals will be built in Farwaniya and Jahra, in addition to 12 medical centers, which will reduce crowding at public hospitals and primary healthcare centers.

Harbi added the Ahmadi hospital will open in 2020. It consists of four storeys and a basement spread over a total area of 36,793 sq m. The hospital has a capacity of 300 beds spread over various departments, including surgery and intensive care. It has more than 70 outpatient clinics of different medical specialties. "The health ministry looks forward to help Dhaman deliver these important hospital projects to serve and provide healthcare to residents of Kuwait," Harbi said.

The Health Assurance Hospitals Company (Dhaman) was established as a public-private partnership project as part of Kuwait's national healthcare expansion plan. In response to a projected population growth of two million people by 2026, Dhaman plans to build secondary care hospitals and primary health clinics in various locations across Kuwait.

By Faten Omar and Agencies