Patients seeking private medical treatment in India will no longer be faced with an upcoming 5 percent service charge. India's federal government last week announced the rollback of the planned tax on health-care services after encountering substantial pressure from opposition political parties, the healthcare industry as well as the general public. Giving his general budget speech before Parliament,…
Industry analysts are expecting the increase in merger and acquisition activity in Thailand's healthcare sector to continue. Thai healthcare providers are determined to integrate more with one another to give them a national competitive advantage over the large foreign multinationals now entering the market. Under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) agreements, by 2015 many industries will be increasingly…
A senior advisor from Qatar’s top health advisory body, the Supreme Council of Health, has announced that a broad national health insurance system with universal access for both citizens and visitors will be operable within the next 3 to 4 years.
Qatar’s Supreme Council of Health (SCH) was established by an Emir decree in 2005. The Council replaced both the former National Health Authority…
From July 1st 2011, health insurance policy holders in India will be able to change insurance providers, without the fear of losing their benefits from their previous policy. With the new initiative issued by the IRDA (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority), industry leaders in India predict an increase in competition among health insurance providers, as policy-holders will be afforded greater…
In Saudi Arabia authorities are warning hosptials in Jeddah of a dengue fever outbreak, following floods which have provided a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. According to the Ministry of Health Saudia Arabia, since the January 26th floods in Jeddah, six cases of dengue fever and 4 cases of malaria…
The Health Funds Association of New Zealand (HFANZ) has reported a significant decline in the numbers of individuals covered by private health insurance within the country. Approximately 10,000 policyholders have discontinued their health insurance policies during 2010. Given a number of financial pressures resulting…
In December, Bupa International joined the ranks of international private medical insurers that offer insurance policies with full medical underwriting (FMU) options that cover individuals for pre-existing conditions. Until recently, it has been very difficult for expatriates to obtain coverage of pre-existing conditions on individual insurance policies, as few insurers would cover them. Many…
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women, accounting for around 16 percent of all female cancers. It kills around 519,000 women every year, worldwide. A recent US study, conducted by the Medco Research Institute, reveals that only half of insured women aged over 40 are claiming annual…
Venezuela's private health system is currently undergoing an audit after allegations surfaced that insurance companies, and private health service providers, are putting their profit before the health of its members. The audit will be carried out by Venezuela's Public Defender´s Office, Institute for the Defense of People's Access to Goods and Services…
English
