Indian Authorities Advocate for Medical Insurance Among Travellers

The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi, along with the Consulate General of India in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, has strongly advised Indian travellers and residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to secure adequate medical insurance. This recommendation comes in light of several reports indicating that citizens have faced substantial medical bills due to unforeseen illnesses and emergencies.

In an advisory issued on social media platform X, the Indian missions conveyed that they had received numerous distressing accounts of individuals encountering significant health issues that resulted in expenses beyond what they or their families could afford. The advisory underscored the importance of comprehensive insurance coverage prior to travelling, particularly for individuals visiting the UAE for tourism.

"All Indian nationals who are travelling to UAE for visit or tourism purposes are hereby advised to take adequate and appropriate medical insurance, prior to commencement of their journey, which also covers cashless facilities including the cost of medical repatriation to India in the event of unforeseen medical emergency," the advisory stated.

Moreover, the advisory extends its guidance to Indian nationals residing in the UAE, especially those on employment visas or as dependents. They are urged to assess their current insurance policies to ensure they provide sufficient coverage for potential medical expenses incurred in the UAE, as well as for medical repatriation to India.

"Indians residing in UAE on employment visa or as dependents are advised to verify that their medical insurance is adequate to cover all medical expenses in UAE and medical repatriation to India," the advisory added.

The missions pointed out the critical need for travellers to thoroughly check the scope of their insurance coverage. This includes confirming that their policies will adequately cover medical emergencies and offer cashless services where applicable, thereby reducing the financial burden on patients and their families.

In conclusion, both visitors and residents are reminded of the importance of ensuring that their medical insurance policies are robust enough to handle possible medical situations during their time in the UAE. The advisory serves as a precautionary and informative measure to avoid lengthy and costly procedures related to health care in unfamiliar settings.