Avoid Huge Bills: Indians Visiting UAE Urged to Get Medical Insurance
Indian missions in UAE advise travellers and residents to secure medical insurance with repatriation cover to avoid massive hospital bills.
Indian missions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have issued a critical advisory for Indian nationals, urging them to secure UAE medical insurance with comprehensive coverage, including repatriation to India. This warning comes after a worrying increase in cases where individuals faced astronomical hospital bills that neither they nor their families could afford due to insufficient insurance.
A Warning Against Financial Crisis
The advisory was jointly released by the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. According to the diplomatic missions, there have been numerous instances of Indian nationals suffering from unforeseen illnesses or facing sudden medical emergencies. In many of these cases, the resulting medical costs far exceeded the financial capacity of the patients and their relatives, primarily because their insurance policies were inadequate.
Guidelines for Tourists and Visitors
For those planning to travel to the UAE for tourism or short-term visits, the missions have provided specific recommendations to ensure a safe trip:
- Pre-journey Planning: Obtain adequate and appropriate medical insurance before starting the journey.
- Cashless Facilities: Ensure the policy includes cashless facilities to avoid out-of-pocket stress during emergencies.
- Repatriation Cover: The insurance must specifically cover the cost of medical repatriation to India if a severe health crisis occurs.
Advice for UAE Residents
The advisory is not limited to tourists. Indian nationals currently residing in the UAE on employment visas, as well as those staying as dependants, are strongly advised to review their existing policies. They are urged to verify that their current coverage is sufficient to handle all potential medical expenses within the UAE and includes the necessary provisions for medical repatriation to India.
Strengthening Consular Ties
This advisory aligns with the broader diplomatic efforts between the two nations to protect their citizens. In July, India and the UAE reaffirmed their commitment to the safety, dignity, and well-being of their respective nationals during the 7th Meeting of the India-UAE Joint Committee on Consular Affairs (JCCA) held in New Delhi.
The high-level meeting was co-chaired by Sripriya Ranganathan, Secretary (CPV and OIA), and Omar Obaid Alhesan Alshamsi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This session followed extensive technical discussions focusing on several key areas, including:
- Consular matters and citizen welfare.
- Labour and mobility-related issues.
- Mutual legal assistance and extradition processes.
“The Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi and Consulate General of India, Dubai and Northern Emirates have been receiving several instances of Indian nationals meeting with unforeseen illnesses or medical emergencies resulting in huge medical bills beyond the capacity of the patient or their family members to bear,” the advisory stated.