Bahrain Insurance Association (BIA) has announced the setting up of a forum for the Middle East's medical insurance professionals in the Kingdom.

The Middle East Insurance Medicine Forum (MEIMF) was announced by the BIA medical committee during an event held at the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance, Juffair.

'The forum of professionals working in the medical insurance sector in Bahrain will create opportunities for sharing, learning and updating on trends and developments in medical insurance and clinical medicine,' said committee chairman Dr Dennis Sebastian.

'This includes continuous medical education programmes in association with local and international medical service providers and encouraging better co-operation between companies providing medical insurance in the country.'

He said Bahrain was the first country in the Middle East to introduce such a forum to promote the concept of insurance medicine. 'This fits well within the theme of our committee - better awareness, co-operation and regulations,' said Dr Sebastian.

'It will help enroll all medical professionals working in Bahrain's medical insurance industry,' he added.

BIA director in-charge of life and medical Fathalla Ebrahim said the initiative was part of its commitment to promoting professional standards within the insurance industry.

BIA board deputy chairman Yassir Al Baharna was the guest of honour at the event that was attended by BIA directors and others from the medical insurance sector.

Dr Azhar Al Khateeb was enrolled as the first member at the event, while Dr Essam Ali, Dr Azhar Al Khateeb and Dr Shabana Shahid were appointed as forum co-ordinators.-TradeArabia News Service