I am looking to return to work in the middle east (Saudi or UAE), wher I haven't worked since being diagnosed. Although the working etc doesn't bother me, does anybody have any information regarding availability of insulin etc and whether there is any agreement with UK re free prescriptions?
-
Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Working overseas
- Thread starter RWJ
- Start date
- Status
Copepod
Much missed Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Details of countries with reciprocal health arrangements here: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Health...e/NonEEAcountries/Pages/Non-EEAcountries.aspx Not Saudi Arabia or UEA.
Employers usually provide medical insurance as part of the package. Depending how long you are away, you may loose rights to routine NHS care, so make sure you know the score.
For information about insulin availability, the best source of information is the company that makes what you use.
Employers usually provide medical insurance as part of the package. Depending how long you are away, you may loose rights to routine NHS care, so make sure you know the score.
For information about insulin availability, the best source of information is the company that makes what you use.
Pumper_Sue
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
DeusXM
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Background: 2 years of working in Dubai
As far as I know, if you are working outside of the EU, you are regarded as non-resident and therefore not eligible for any reciprocal arrangements.
There is no state healthcare system for non-nationals in the UAE or KSA, it's an entirely private system.
Therefore you will need to ensure that any job you take provides health insurance that covers pre-existing conditions. Otherwise you could be looking at spending several hundred pounds a month on diabetes treatment.
Even when your insurance covers existing conditions, generally unless you are very lucky, it will cover the cost of insulin and your doctor visits and that's it. Test strips, pens, syringes, lancets, needles all tend not to be covered and will have to be paid for out of pocket. You can expect to pay around ?30 for a pack of test strips.
I've never tried to get needles in the UAE but insulins and test strips are freely available over the counter. However, without a prescription, you won't be able to get the cost back from your insurance, so you'll need to make a doctor's visit (which is chargeable to your insurance, typically you'll have to pay the first ?15 of the cost).
When I was there (2007-9), Novorapid, Lantus and Levemir were freely available so I would imagine Humalog is available too. Test strips are also easily available - don't forget that the Gulf has the second highest rate of diabetes in the world, something like a third of Saudis have T2. Care standards are a mixed bag depending on the hospital you use, and expect to find your insurance won't cover the best hospitals.
Finally, don't forget that the UAE and KSA have mandatory Ramadan, which is something else to consider. It's doable but can put extra stress on you.
As far as I know, if you are working outside of the EU, you are regarded as non-resident and therefore not eligible for any reciprocal arrangements.
There is no state healthcare system for non-nationals in the UAE or KSA, it's an entirely private system.
Therefore you will need to ensure that any job you take provides health insurance that covers pre-existing conditions. Otherwise you could be looking at spending several hundred pounds a month on diabetes treatment.
Even when your insurance covers existing conditions, generally unless you are very lucky, it will cover the cost of insulin and your doctor visits and that's it. Test strips, pens, syringes, lancets, needles all tend not to be covered and will have to be paid for out of pocket. You can expect to pay around ?30 for a pack of test strips.
I've never tried to get needles in the UAE but insulins and test strips are freely available over the counter. However, without a prescription, you won't be able to get the cost back from your insurance, so you'll need to make a doctor's visit (which is chargeable to your insurance, typically you'll have to pay the first ?15 of the cost).
When I was there (2007-9), Novorapid, Lantus and Levemir were freely available so I would imagine Humalog is available too. Test strips are also easily available - don't forget that the Gulf has the second highest rate of diabetes in the world, something like a third of Saudis have T2. Care standards are a mixed bag depending on the hospital you use, and expect to find your insurance won't cover the best hospitals.
Finally, don't forget that the UAE and KSA have mandatory Ramadan, which is something else to consider. It's doable but can put extra stress on you.
Son has been working in Qatar for 2 years and you will definitely need your private medical insurance.
Health care has generally been quite good for him out there, although not diabetic.
I wouldn't think there is a problem with insulin - I do know they sell Byetta over the counter there.
My consultant often does lectures in Dubai and speaks very highly of the health care there.
..and yes be aware of Ramadam.
He was left sitting on a bus in red hot heat with no water, whilst getting their papers sorted. They are teachers and everyone from the same school was taken together.
Good luck with your travels - sounds very interesting.🙂
Health care has generally been quite good for him out there, although not diabetic.
I wouldn't think there is a problem with insulin - I do know they sell Byetta over the counter there.
My consultant often does lectures in Dubai and speaks very highly of the health care there.
..and yes be aware of Ramadam.
He was left sitting on a bus in red hot heat with no water, whilst getting their papers sorted. They are teachers and everyone from the same school was taken together.
Good luck with your travels - sounds very interesting.🙂
- Status