All expatriates and nationals working in the private sector in the Kingdom should have mandatory medical insurance as of today (Saturday). The cut-off date marks the end of the first phase of the compulsory medical insurance scheme and covers every company or establishment having even only one employee, according to Dr. Abdullah Bin Ibrahim Al-Sharif, secretary general of the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI). The medical insurance scheme now covers up to 10 million people (5.1 million expatriates) in the private sector, he said. CCHI, in its next meeting, would set the deadline for individual sponsors to get medical insurance for their employees, such as drivers and house help, he said. There are about four million people working under individual sponsors in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) has licensed 25 insurance companies to operate in the Kingdom. As CCHI is linked to the National Information Center, the General Administration of Passports can electronically verify the medical insurance subscription of any registered business, Al-Sharif said. – Okaz/SG __
