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Find out moreWelcome to the latest edition of Law Update titled “Rise of Generative AI.”
In this edition, we dive into the dynamic world of Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. TMT continues to play a vital role in positioning the region as an international business and social hub, driving significant growth and innovation.
Our focus in this Law Update is on the sector’s ongoing potential to advance and propel the region toward a more digital economy. We explore the benefits of embracing a digital transformation and how local authorities have responded by enhancing regulations to accommodate the evolving TMT landscape.
This edition covers a range of topics, including – the new Telecommunications & Information Technology Law in Saudi Arabia, the intricacies of trademarks in the Metaverse, and the legal challenges faced by the video game industry. Additionally, we take a regional perspective, discussing jurisdictions such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Bahrain to provide a comprehensive understanding of the TMT landscape.
We hope you thoroughly enjoy this packed issue of Law Update, filled with captivating articles that address key legal issues within a vital sector for the region.
Read the full edition
The Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain has issued a new law (Bahrain Law No. 23 of 2018) that will make it compulsory for health insurance coverage to be provided to all citizens, residents and visitors to the country as of January 2019.
Proof of insurance is expected to be made mandatory for the renewal of employment permits as well as residence permits.
How will the mandatory health insurance plan be funded?
The mandatory health insurance will be funded through the payment of an insurance subscription that will cover the benefits, which are set out in a package relevant to each category of an insured person e.g. a Citizens’ Package for a Citizen; a Residents’ Package for a Resident; and a Visitors’ Package for a Visitor.
The Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain will pay subscriptions for Bahraini citizens.
How will the expatriate workforce and visitors be enrolled onto the new mandatory health insurance scheme?
Are there any new ways to be able to store your healthcare information within the law?
Article 23 and Article 24 of the law establishes a ‘Unified Electronic Medical Record’ for each person enrolled onto the new insurance scheme and a ‘National Health Data Dictionary’.
The Unified Electronic Medical Record
Each Beneficiary shall have an electronic medical record containing all his health-related data, particularly the data related to his medical condition and data that may be used as a basis for claiming financial benefits for providing health benefits.
National Health Data Dictionary
The Supreme Council of Health shall establish a national Health Data Dictionary that includes a national system of health-related terms, medical coding and an explanation of its vocabulary in a manner in which these terms are classified into categories and arranged in a special order to be a reference for Health Service Providers and insurance coverage providers by using a standardized language that allows technical systems to receive, send, store, display, retrieve or process the dictionary contents.
The new law establishes a Health Information and Knowledge Management Centre
Should you require any advice with regard to the abovementioned law that will be effective in January 2019, our Healthcare Practice Group would be happy to assist.
Key Contacts:
Andrea Tithecott, Partner, Head of Regulatory, Head of Healthcare
Foutoun Hajjar, Head of Office – Bahrain
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