Health insurance for fostered orphans in Saudi Arabia | Council of Cooperative Health Insurance

In a significant humanitarian step reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to strengthening social solidarity and providing a dignified life for all members of society, the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance clarified that the mandatory health insurance policy guarantees comprehensive health coverage for orphans fostered by their families. This decision removes any obstacles that families wishing to foster orphans might face, affirming their fundamental right to receive the highest standards of healthcare.

Historical background and social context

Based on the teachings of Islam and its ambitious Vision 2030, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia places great importance on the care and sponsorship of orphans. The foster family system is a cornerstone of the country's social welfare system, providing a natural family environment that contributes to the child's healthy psychological and social development. The Council of Cooperative Health Insurance's clarification represents another step in the series of government initiatives aimed at supporting this system by providing a health safety net that ensures the child's stability within the foster family without imposing additional financial burdens related to treatment.

4 key features that ensure comprehensive healthcare

To ensure the provision of seamless and continuous healthcare for the fostered orphan child, the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance has identified four key features that the insurance policy provides to the foster family, namely:

• Sure start to coverage: The child’s health coverage begins immediately from the date of issuance of his approved identification certificate, ensuring that there are no waiting periods that could jeopardize his health.
• Continuity of care: The child is included in the foster family insurance policy, which ensures that he continues to receive health care throughout the regular entitlement period, just like any other family member.
• Clearly structured duration: The duration of coverage is subject to clear, organized and approved conditions, giving foster families peace of mind and the ability to plan ahead for the child’s health needs.
• Comprehensive benefits scope: The child benefits from the full range of benefits covered by the unified policy of the Council of Health Insurance, which includes medical examinations, treatment, medications, and hospitalization when needed.

The importance and expected impact of the decision

This regulation is of paramount importance on several levels. Locally, the decision encourages more families to sponsor orphans, thus reducing the number of children in care homes and promoting their integration into society. It also supports the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development's efforts to achieve its goals related to family care. Regionally, the Kingdom presents a leading model in the field of health rights for orphaned children, which may inspire other countries to adopt similar policies.

The role of the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance in achieving a sustainable healthy society

This measure reflects the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance's commitment to implementing its strategy of enabling patient-centered, high-quality, and efficient healthcare services. With the number of beneficiaries of mandatory health insurance exceeding 14 million (including 4.5 million Saudis and 9.5 million non-Saudis), extending coverage to foster orphans enhances overall insurance coverage rates and brings the Kingdom closer to achieving its goal of building a healthy and sustainable society for all.