A prominent Saudi medical executive has called for a revamp of the Kingdom’s medical insurance system, saying current practices “disappoint everybody” including insurance companies which are “unable to make profits”, it was reported.
Hazem Zagzoug, CEO of Andalusia Medical Services Group, said the present system put considerable pressure on patients, as well as healthcare providers.
“Perhaps the insurance system, with the way it is implemented now, is not meant for us,” he told the Arab News.
“Current health care insurance practices disappoint everybody, including patients and doctors. Even insurance companies are not happy, as they are unable to make profits.”
Zagzoug said the scheme should be revised to provide a compulsory minimum for all insurance policies.
“Leaving market forces to regulate the market with supply and demand has proved insufficient,” he was quoted as saying.
He said a new system should be introduced, where the government would be the service regulator and payer, while insurance companies would act as third party administrators.
Zagzoug, a second-generation family business owner, entrepreneur, doctor and manager by education, said Saudi entertained the best health care service standard in the region and had a lot of potential.
“We have one of the strongest private sectors in the region and some operators have branched out and invested in other regional countries,” he said.
However, the private and public sectors had to work together to build a stronger healthcare system that will not only serve the Kingdom, but also promote medical tourism.
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