Cabinet Ratifies a Draft Law on Social Health Insurance

Doha, April 03 (QNA) - HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani on Wednesday presided over the cabinet's regular weekly meeting held at the Emiri Diwan premises. After the meeting, HE the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud gave the following statement: The cabinet reviewed the issues on the meeting's agenda: First: Ratifying a draft law on social- health insurance and sending it to the Advisory Council. The law aims to offer the best health services for citizens and residents of the beneficiaries of the health insurance system in health facilities licensed to provide health care services and insurance coverage of institutions legally authorized to do insurance activity. According to the draft law, health insurance will be obligatory and includes mandatory health insurance services in addition to preventive, curative, rehabilitative and medical examinations services in return for payment of health insurance premiums. The government will pay premiums for Qatari citizens. A company called "National Company for Health Insurance" will be established and will be responsible for the implementation and management of the system under the supervision of the Supreme Council of Health. Second: Approval of the draft bids regulation for Public Works Authority. Third: Approving the membership of a representative of Qatar 2022 supreme committee to the National Committee for Occupational Safety and Health established by the cabinet Decree No. (16) of the year 2011. Fourth: Approving the entry into force of the provisions of Law No. (24) of the year 2002 on retirement and pensions for Qatari workers at the Thani bin Abdullah's Foundation for Humanitarian Services (RAF). Fifth: Approving the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of urban planning and infrastructure between Qatar's Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning and South Korea's Ministry of Transport and Land and Maritime Affairs. Sixth: Taking the necessary measures to ratify the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the governments of Qatar and Algeria on cooperation in the field of oil and gas. Seventh: the cabinet discussed these two issues and took the necessary decisions: 1. The letter of the Tax Appeal Committee on the report of the Committee's work during the period from July 1 - to December 31, 2012. 2. The letter of Qatar's Standing Committee of the Population on its annual report for 2012. (END)