Dr. Hamad Almana, the Minister of Health, today said his ministry has licensed nine out of 17 insurance companies applying for providing medical insurance in the Kingdom. In a statement, Dr. Almana said as many as 182 hospitals, dispensaries and policlinics were accredited as providers of medical insurance service. Personnel of companies owned by owners of private facilities were exempted from compulsory contribution to medical insurance system provided that they receive comprehensive health care according to medical insurance act.