SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT - UAE Interact

254 U N I T E D A R A B E M I R AT E S Y E A R B O O K 2 0 0 8health system. Key objectives are to improve quality of carethrough application of rigorous service standards and performancetargets for all, expand access to services, shift from public toprivate providers safely and efficiently so that private providers,rather than government, service healthcare needs, with the roleof government restricted to the development and enforcementof new, world-class healthcare standards.Abu Dhabi Emirate is, therefore, endeavouring to create anenvironment and regulatory framework conducive to private sectorinvestment in health care. The Health Authority – Abu Dhabi(HAAD) was established under Law No. 1 for 2007 to take overfrom the General Authority for Health Services and the AbuDhabi Health Services Company (ADHSC), to be known as SIHHA,was also established in 2007, as a Dh1 billion public joint stockcompany. Ownership of all health and medical facilities, property,including land, employees, as well as all contracts and agreementswere transferred to the new company, which is an independentcorporate body, enjoying full legal status. ADHSC will partner inpublic-private-partnerships and oversee public sector healthcareprovision assets, as well as manage preventive programmes andhealth services in remote regions (e.g., the Western Region ofthe emirate).A new comprehensivehealth insurancescheme for Abu Dhabiwill cover treatmentin public and privatehospitals, and willinclude a clear andtransparentreimbursement process,and affordable accessfor all residents.HEALTH INSURANCEOne of the more radical developments in the system in recentyears has been the introduction of compulsory health insurance.Residents of Abu Dhabi will be covered by a comprehensiveinsurance scheme introduced by HAAD under the terms of LawNo. 23 for 2005. The new scheme, covering treatment in publicand private hospitals, will phase out health cards, which will notbe renewed on expiration. Hallmarks of the new system include aclear and transparent reimbursement process, affordable accessfor all residents, and reliable funding for quality health care inAbu Dhabi.The first phase of healthcare insurance cover is being enacted forall expatriate employees working for Abu Dhabi-based ministries,federal and local organisations and private companies with more