Promoting health services underlined

Manama, Aug 28 (BNA): Supreme Health Council (SHC) today staged an introductory workshop on the Comprehensive National Health Insurance Programme in the presence of SHC President Lt-Gen Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Health Minister Faeqa bint Saeed Al-Saleh, a number of governors, heads and members of municipal councils and Council of Capital Trustees. SHC President, during the opening ceremony, stressed that the National Health Insurance Programme Bahrain intends to implement is a key national programme targets the development of the health sector in line with the royal visions and the follow up of HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and the interest of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. He pointed out Bahrain's interest in the development of the very important health sector to citizens and residents. He affirmed that the National Health Programme is set to raise the level of health services without prejudice to citizens' current health gains, and that providing health services is a constitutional right to citizens. He noted that under the National Health Insurance Programme health services will be free for citizens, instead the government will make the payments to the health insurance fund to be established. He said holding the workshop comes within the framework of discussing issues related to the National Health Insurance Programme and to develop a comprehensive vision for the implementation process to contribute to the establishment of the basics of health insurance based on promoting health services. He gave a detailed presentation on the key pillars of the Health Insurance Law. He also reviewed features of the proposed future health system that will be a key outcome of the implementation of the National Health Insurance program that will provide high quality and competitive health services for all citizens.