The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has expressed dismay at the number of complaints it has received from the public over medical insurance companies failing to pay out compensation promptly.
NSHR chairman Muflih Al-Qahtani told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that companies were deliberately delaying payments due to “unclear procedures”.
“Things are really not clear in this area and payments to patients or doctors are delayed,” he said. “Demands need to be more specific and require close monitoring. The policies should be clear to everyone concerned.”
Al-Qahtani said that insurance policies should be formulated in the presence of all three parties and that rules should be laid down to guarantee the protection of patients, doctors and insurance companies alike.
“The aim is to prevent medical errors, and we need highly efficient and experienced insurance companies in this area.”
Al-Qahtani also urged the Ministry of Health to coordinate with the Passports Department to ensure contracts are not signed with doctors guilty of medical errors in the Kingdom and who were previously deported or had their contracts terminated.
“Unfortunately, they find other ways to return to the Kingdom and practice,” he said.
NAWWAF AFIT
Saudi Gazette