Saudi Arabia-based health insurer Bupa Arabia has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Social Affairs to provide free health insurance covering all children at orphanages under the ministry’s supervision.

The agreement includes a strategic plan approved by both parties on how Bupa Arabia will implement the free medical coverage programme over the coming years.

“The ministry will provide all the necessary support in order for this ambitious programme to be successfully implemented,” said Dr Abdullah Abdulaziz Al Yousef, Deputy Minister of Social Affairs for Care and Social Development.

“We hold these orphans close to our hearts and it is our aim to provide them with the highest standards of social care, education, career training and development of their talents to help them face the challenges of life.”

“Bupa Arabia is the only company in its field that specializes exclusively in health insurance services, which is why we decided to cooperate with the company’s offer to contribute to the Ministry’s role in orphanage affairs by ensuring that the children receive the superior quality of health care for which Bupa Arabia is renowned,” he added.

Loay Nazer, founder of the Bupa Arabia initiative, said: “This signing is a major step forward in our plan to provide free health insurance for more than 3000 children at orphanages registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs and we consider it a privilege to complement the Ministry’s excellent work by making it possible for the children to receive the best health care available.”

Bupa Arabia has enrolled almost 400 orphans to their programme on 2011starting with Al Rafeef Home last April followed by Women’s Welfare Center then Dar Al-Tarbiya and lastly Dar Al Hadana.

Bupa Arabia also arranges for medical checkups at the beginning of the programme to determine the special treatments needed by the orphans.

In addition, Bupa has set up a dedicated help line for orphans and organises health awareness sessions at each orphanage as and when requested. Bupa Arabia also arranges social events and outings for the orphans with the participation of the company’s employees and their families. – TradeArabia News Service