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No plans to charge pilgrims for health services: Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, Sept 07: Saudi Arabia has no plans to charge foreign pilgrims for health services, the health minister told a news agency today, denying a newspaper report.
Riyadh, Sept 07: Saudi Arabia has no plans to charge foreign pilgrims for health services, the health minister told a news agency today, denying a newspaper report.
Arab News, which ran the story, said it was quoting a statement from the same minister, Dr Hamad Al-Manie, that foreigners making the major annual Hajj and minor Umrah pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina would face medical bills if they used the kingdom's services.
"These reports have no foundation," Al-Manie told a news agency, saying the idea had not even been discussed by the Saudi authorities. The Riyadh government is working to reduce public health spending and will impose mandatory health insurance on nationals employed in the private sector with effect from 2006.
This month, Saudi Arabia began a gradual implementation of islamic-style cooperative medical insurance on some seven million foreigners living and working in the kingdom. The world's top oil exporter has been offering cradle-to-grave welfare to its 16.5 million citizens, with essential services provided either free of charge or at a heavily-subsidized cost.
Bureau Report
"These reports have no foundation," Al-Manie told a news agency, saying the idea had not even been discussed by the Saudi authorities. The Riyadh government is working to reduce public health spending and will impose mandatory health insurance on nationals employed in the private sector with effect from 2006.
This month, Saudi Arabia began a gradual implementation of islamic-style cooperative medical insurance on some seven million foreigners living and working in the kingdom. The world's top oil exporter has been offering cradle-to-grave welfare to its 16.5 million citizens, with essential services provided either free of charge or at a heavily-subsidized cost.
Bureau Report