Nikhil Joseph, CRM Manager at Aster DMH Qatar; Dr Sameer Moopan, CEO; Dr Nazar Moopan, Medical Director, and Nitin Premkumar, Clinic Operations Manager, during a press conference held to announce the launch of healthcare scheme at Oryx Rotana, yesterday.
Aster DMH Qatar, in a new initiative, has launched a healthcare scheme for low-income workers. The scheme will provide access to unlimited doctor consultation, over 50 testes and medicine, said officials at Aster DMH Qatar, yesterday.
The ‘Essential Benefits Plan’ scheme aims to cater around 25,000 blue-collar workers from countries including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, said Dr Sameer Moopan, Chief Executive Officer, Aster DMH Qatar while addressing a press conference held at Hotel Oryx Rotana.
“We are very pleased to announce the new initiative for the welfare of low waged workers. This project aims at the wellness of the people who cannot afford to go for such tests in the private sector. This scheme will immensely help patients who are financially challenged and those who are on a waitlist to get an advanced early diagnosis and treatments,” said Dr Moopan.
“The actual annual cost of the scheme is QR300. But DM Foundation, CSR arm of Aster DM Healthcare, will contribute QR100 from its CSR initiatives. We will use our CSR fund of QR2.5million for the scheme,” he added.
According to Dr Moopan, the beneficiaries of the healthcare scheme will have access to consultation, tests and medication for acute illnesses.
Blue-collar workers and who earn less than QR 2500 per month are eligible to benefit from the scheme. They can obtain the healthcare scheme by presenting their Qatar ID at the Aster Clinic in the Industrial Area.
“Initially the plan will be available at the Aster Clinic in the Industrial Area and benefit patients with acute illnesses as they count for more than 90% of hospital visits by blue-collar workers. However, we are working on to expand the plan to other clinics and cover chronic illnesses in the future,” said Dr Moopan.
Senior officials from Aster DMH Qatar, representatives of Bangladesh, Nepal, and India embassy in Qatar were present at the event.
“We urge the people of the low-income brackets to make good use of this health package being offered at Aster Medical Centre at Industrial Area. Early diagnosis is very critical in the treatment of any disease. By offering the right diagnosis and free medication, we hope to make quality healthcare accessible to all,” said Dr Nazar Moopan, Medical Director and Chief of Medical Staff of Aster DMH Qatar. Through the plan beneficiaries will be able to get doctor consultation, major diagnostic investigations, basic treatments and pay QR 10 for medicines at each visit to the clinic.
“However, patients with pre-existing chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure will be able to get a free medical consultation,” said Nikhil Joseph, CRM Manager, Aster DMH Qatar. Patients in need of orthopaedics and ophthalmology will be referred to the Aster Clinic in C Ring Road.
