Medical fees hike; Expats to feel the heat

Manama : The sudden hike in fees at government health centres and hospitals for expats might force low paid workers to turn to ‘alternative treatment’ which puts their health at risk, according to a social worker here.

The increased fees at government health centres and hospitals could be too big of a burden for low paid expatriates, said Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS) Chairperson Marietta Das. 

“It is likely that these workers turn to alternatives such as home remedies or take advise from unqualified persons to treat their illness or they might decide not to seek treatment,” she said. 

Earlier the Health Ministry hiked the medical care cost for non-Bahrainis at public hospitals and health centres from BD3 to BD7. It also mentioned that expats will have to purchase their medications from private pharmacies.

According to her, this move will have many repercussions on the labourers. 

“This is going to affect the low paid workers more than anyone. They will have to suffer as they cannot afford healthcare,” she said. 

“They are being paid a very low salary so it is impossible to pay this amount. Many are being paid BD150 or BD100 or less as it is in many cases. In such cases, how can they afford BD7 plus the additional charges including the payment to the pharmacy? It might end up costing BD20 to BD30 and  many cannot afford that,” she said.

Marietta Das warns that it is dangerous if these people seek home remedies and alternatives that could potentially harm them. 

“However, if they are not able to afford healthcare they may feel that they are left without another choice. They might try something based on bad advise or they might take help from someone unqualified and this will harm them. Taking these sort of alternatives could make their illness worse, and we will have people with all sorts of untreated diseases,” she added.

When asked if the employers should take up the responsibility of paying for healthcare expenses of the employees in such cases, she said that it is not practical.

 “It makes sense in theory but in practice, the employers may find a way around it.
They may deduct the amounts from the worker’s salary.
The poor workers would be too afraid to protest or may not know his rights,” she said.

Published in the Official Gazette, the decision stipulates that non-Bahrainis are obliged to pay BD7 for general medical consultancy. It is also mentioned that expats will
have to purchase their medications from private pharmacies. 

“Other services such as laboratory tests, X-ray, nursing, maternity and physiotherapy will be priced according to the approved prices at the ministry for each service,” the resolution read. 

Expats who work in the public sector and their dependents were however excluded from the decision.