New health policy to benefit workers [Khaleej Times, Dubai, United Arab Emirates]

Apr. 5--The National Health Insurance Company Daman announced that it will cover medical expenses due to work-related injuries and/or illnesses for all members enrolled in the new and renewed policies.

The move, effective March 22, followed a recent decision by the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD) to include medical treatment for work-related injuries on the coverage for basic healthcare services.

"These injuries include those that have been sustained by an employee at his/her place of work or due to his/her work, and will not result in an increase in the premiums of the policies," said a statement released by the company.

Asked if heat stroke or other heat-related illnesses are included in the revised policy, Dr Michael Bitzer, CEO of Daman on Sunday confirmed its coverage but only as a result of working outdoors.

"Protective measures by employers are of utmost importance in preventing work-related injuries from occurring. However, in the incident where a worker may suffer from a heat stroke as a result of working in the sun, Daman will cover the medical cost of treatment as a work-related injury," he told Khaleej Times.

Previously, medical treatment for such conditions fell under Daman's general exclusions list, even on the enhanced plan, in accordance with HAAD's Health Insurance Scheme.

The Ministry of Labour's workmen's compensation ordinance is designed to protect the employer against their liabilities to employees in respect to injuries suffered by them in the course of employment. -- [email protected]

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