Saudi- Experts want health insurance to include rehab for smokers

(MENAFN- Arab News) An action team has been formed to consider the possibility of adding an anti-smoking program in health insurance policies upon the consent of insurance providers said abdullah al-sharif secretary-general of the council of cooperative health insurance.

the council's administration in riyadh held a meeting that brought together a team of anti-smoking campaigners at the health ministry and a health insurance department in addition to several health insurance company directors.

the meeting which lasted for hours discussed ways to include smokers in such a program said ali al-wadai general supervisor of the anti-smoking campaign at the ministry.

'this is a national duty that is strongly recommended by the world health organization (who) health ministers in gulf cooperation council (gcc) countries and the national committee for combatting tobacco" he said.

during the meeting al-wadai highlighted the positive effects of including smokers in health insurance programs.

'smokers can gain access to medication to quit smoking either free of charge or at reduced costs" he said. 'this will also help health insurance companies in the long term by reducing illnesses associated with smoking since smokers are more prone to developing several diseases than non-smokers."

'several studies have concluded that smokers incur heavy losses on insurance companies" he said. 'employers will also greatly benefit from this move."

jamal bahasi a member of anti-smoking team said the kingdom now provides premier services for kicking the habit following the issuance of a saudi guide for quitting smoking. in addition more than 1500 doctors and medical staff have been trained and 45 specialized clinics have been opened to provide services for helping smokers quit.