How to stay safe in case of MERS virus outbreak

A recent MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in Saudi Arabia has been attributed to the camel delivery season, according to the spokesman for the Health Ministry Mishal Al-Rubaiaan. Most of the cases of MERS were associated with camels,” he added. However he warned the citizens of Saudi Arabia to expect more cases in the coming weeks.

The number of cases has gone down compared to last year. The Ministry of Health urged the public and media correspondents to depend only on the ministry’s command and control center for latest information about the disease.

How to get yourself safe from MERS:

Take extra precautions to prevent the spread of MERS virus and people should avoid contact with patients affected by the virus. Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes with your hands before cleaning them properly and always boil milk before consuming it. Although scientific studies have not yet proved from where the virus had come, but precautionary measures should be taken. Keep yourself away from sick animals and their secretions. Clean camel meat properly before cooking it.

MERS Symptoms:

MERS symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath and diarrhea. People who are most likely to be affected by this disease are health service providers and family members of patients. The total number of people contracted by MERS in the Saudi Arabia reached around 1,500 in the past five years. Nearly 1000 patients have recovered from the disease while unfortunately 500 people have died.

At present there are around 14 cases under treatment at various hospitals in the Kingdom. Cases reported from January 2015, 12% were health workers while 27 % got the virus from hospitals and about 12% were the family members of patients.

The MERS virus has been found common in winters and unfortunately the number of cases will increase during the season. To get MERS virus related help or you see any affected patient contact 937 immediately.

Visitors to KSA must pay Health Insurance Premium

The Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI) has started implementing health insurance on expatriate visitors. The premium will be decided by the insurance company based on the visitor's age and gender. 

Also read: SR 952 health insurance now mandatory with all Visas

Those coming to the Kingdom on visit or transit visas will have to pay health insurance premium for themselves as well as for those accompanying them.

However, Haj and Umrah pilgrims, diplomats and visitors to foreign missions and international organizations for the purpose of diplomatic work as well as guests of the State are exempt from compulsory health insurance.

Some 1.8 million people who visit the Kingdom annually will come under the purview of mandatory health insurance.

The visitors will get an insurance coverage of up to SR100,000.

The expenses will cover all medical check-ups, diagnosis, treatment, medicines, hospitalization expenses, pregnancy and delivery cases, dental and gum diseases, dental filling, root canal, extraction of pus, emergency renal dialysis cases, medical evacuation within the Kingdom and abroad, and injuries due to traffic accidents. The expenses also cover preparation and repatriation of the insured visitor's body to his or her native country.

The health insurance covers medications and medical supplies worth SR600 per day.

The insurance company must respond to approval requests within 60 minutes. If a patient is forced by necessity to go to a hospital that is not included in insurance policy then the insurance company will provide compensation.

A patient must submit a request for compensation to the insurance company within 60 days of paying hospital bills. The compensation will be provided by the insurance company within 30 days of the submission with invoice, tickets and travel documents.

The policy represents the basic level of insurance coverage granted to the insured and will be valid from date of entry to the Kingdom. The insured cannot cancel the policy once it comes into force, except in the case of non-entry into the Kingdom, and accordingly the company is liable to refund the premium.

Source: Saudi Gazette

Preface To Health Care In Saudi Arabia

The quality of health care in Saudi Arabia is generally high and equal to that in Western Europe and the USA, except for highly specialized treatments.

Due to Saudi Arabia’s small population and the many medical facilities in the private and public sectors, long waiting lists are almost unheard of. For specialized treatment, however, it’s sometimes necessary to seek medical assistance outside Saudi Arabia, and locals who can afford it often do so. 

Members of the ruling families and wealthy Arabs invariably have all major operations outside their own territory, particularly in London and American cities. Although some of Saudi Arabia’s doctors and medical staff are local, the vast majority are foreign and were trained in their home countries. The attraction of Saudi Arabia for them is the same as for most other expatriates: financial reward.

The Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI) was established in 1999 to oversee the private health insurance market. Health insurance is already compulsory for foreigners residing in Saudi Arabia, who represent the majority of policyholders in the health insurance market.

American Mission Hospitals, which used to operate on a part-private (for those who could afford treatment), part-free (for those who couldn’t) basis, played an important part in the development of medical services and can still be found today, although they no longer offer free treatment. Saudi Arabia now has a public health service providing free or very low cost health care for its nationals and it’s important to note that these services are also available to expatriates. Tourists visiting Saudi Arabia should have travel insurance that includes cover for private medical treatment, but they also have access to state medical facilities in the case of emergencies.

In the summer, humidity causes added discomfort, with eye infections common. Dehydration is also a threat and is a potentially fatal condition that shouldn’t be underestimated – not only by those working outdoors but also by anyone playing outdoor sports.

The ‘winter’ months of October to March, however, bring some of the best weather anywhere in the world, with continuous warm sunshine generating a feeling of well-being and providing the opportunity for a wholesome, outdoor lifestyle. Good weather is also beneficial to mental health, and people in Saudi Arabia tend to be happier and livelier than those who have to cope with cold, wet, depressing climates.

9 bottled water brands 'unsafe for consumption' in KSA

An internal circular is communicated within Saudi Aramco and other companies with a warning to not drink AL-HANA bottled water. It is reported that couple of days back 8 deaths have been reported due to the drinking reported bottled water. After analyzing one of the bodies in the central Riyadh hospital, the cause of death was ascertained as poisoning by water.

A list of worst mineral water was also enclosed in the circular;

1. Aquafina

2. Al-Haya

3. Al-Hana

4. Matar

5. Jezan

6. Al-Ghaseem

7. Afia

8. Al-Rayan

9. Al-Faihaa

Several bottled water-producing companies are in the limelight for failing to abide by bromide quantities.

It is said that tap water is sometimes better than bottled water because it does not contain dangerously high levels of harmful chemicals that exist in bottled water.

In theory, bottled water is supposedly better because of the minerals it contains. Tap water remains safer to drink as long as local water companies do not contain breakages and water tanks are kept clean.