UAE to provide free healthcare to residents with chronic illnesses

The UAE will provide free healthcare to thousands of foreign residents with chronic illnesses under an agreement between the Ministry of Health and pharmaceutical firm Novartis.

The National reports that the deal will affect 3,210 patients with limited or no health cover.

Those affected will receive up to a year’s worth of free medication or treatment, as part of the country’s Year of Zayed celebrations.

“This will be particularly beneficial for cancer patients and those suffering from chronic conditions such as asthma, multiple sclerosis, retinal and blood disorders and psoriasis and whose health insurance is limited,” Dr Amin Al Amiri, assistant undersecretary for public health policy and licensing told the publication.

Patients will be referred to the programme by their physician and assessed for treatment.

The initiative will end when all 3,210 residents who are in need of medication are receiving treatment but may be extended by pharmaceutical companies.

“By launching this programme, we hope to contribute in reducing their burden and increasing their happiness by improving their health, the official said.

On Saturday, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered the payment of one month’s salary to all serving and retired government employees, citizens and military personnel to mark 100 years since the birthday of the country’s founding father Sheikh Zayed.

Under the plans, affected workers will receive a basic monthly salary from a minimum of Dhs5,000 ($1,361) to a maximum of Dhs50,000 ($13,612).

Read: UAE president orders $435.5m of payments to gov employees, civilians