Government rolls out free health programme

ABU DHABI // Orphans, foster parents and prisoners will get health cards that entitle them to free health care, officials said yesterday. The cards cover inpatient and outpatient treatment in hospitals, clinics and emergency centres. A Government statement said the programme was a "generous gesture" from Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and his brother Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Orphans, foster parents and people with special needs can enrol in the Aonak (which means "to help" in Arabic) scheme, while "prisoners, detainees and inmates" can sign up for the Riaaya ("care") programme, the statement said.

"Coverage also includes the cost of equipment and medical devices, nutritional therapy, physiotherapy, medication, psychological treatment in outpatient clinics, as well as screening," the document said. Further details were unavailable. [e-mail]