The Ministry of Health has decided to increase the fees of birth operations in its hospitals from January next to meet the increasing costs of medicines, equipments and supplies used in these operations.
This came after the approval of the cabinet. The ministry has also issued a circular to directors of the medical zones and hospitals informing them about the decision.
The fees of natural births in the government hospitals will become 5000 Dhs while the c-section operations will cost 8000 Dhs for those holding valid health cards. The fees will be increased 100% to non health card holders and will be obtained through the e-Dirham.
Khalid Majid Lootah, Assistant Undersecretary for Institutional and Supporting Services, at the Ministry of Health stated that the increase of the natural and c-section birth operations in the ministry’s hospitals came in response to the recommendations of the Ministry of Finance to cover the costs including those of medicines, supplies and equipments.
He said: “The prices have been approved from the Cabinet based on the suggestion of the Ministry of Finance. This increase covers some of the operations costs such as medicines, supplies and equipments and is much less that the prices of private hospitals”.
Lootah explained that the prices have been revised according to the costs and wages compared to the increased rates of the authorities and public sector for six months taking into consideration that the total costs of the ministry’s operations are less than those of the private sector with an average of 30%.
He further explained that the ministry is currently expanding its maternity and birth wards throughout the northern emirates and began construction works of a specialized gynecology and obstetrics hospital in Al Qassimi area to reduce the pressure on gynecology department in Al Qassimi Hospital and expansion of the same department in other hospitals too.
WAM