Newborns' Early Medical Screening Coverage Study, 2010 The early tests in all cases is one of the most important elements that help to reduce the rate of diseases among the population, it is also considered one of the methods of precaution and early detection, which contributes significantly to reduce the large financial allocations spent on treatment in the later stages. It is also known that these tests contribute to the reduction of the spread of diseases geneteclly and treated in its early stages. Subject of the study: Including newborns tests under the mandatory coverage in the cooperative health insurance system policy. Goals of the Study: Reach the appropriate decision based on scientific method. Know the best techniques that it can enable us to implement this testing in legitimate and right way. Different thoughts to be consider in this study. Study Methodology: In this study we relied on fact statistical figures for insured newborns requested from Insurance companies (17 companies out of 26 companies qualified from CCHI). In addition to searching in previous studies in this regards and rely on correct statistics from reliable sources. 1
The reasons for the study: To find scientific solutions and develop an appropriate mechanism on the imposing of early screening for newborns to insurance companies, and include the tests in the mandatory cooperative health insurance policy through an appropriate time for that, and deliver a clear picture of this type of testing costs and the results compared with the number of current insured. Know the actual number of newborns insured and covered by the cooperative health insurance policies. To compare between benefits and disadvantages of the application of this test at this time if it adopted. Deliver the objectives of this examination and its effects. Issue a number of recommendations and suggestions after the issuance of the results. Discover the main obstacles and considering of appropriate solutions. Research and previous litriture on this study: There are studies and research from many institutes that did not explain the reasons for including the initial examination of the newborns in the health insurance policy, but indicated that the incidence of disability or serious illness in newborns is 1 to 1000 births as per the annual report of MOH 2010. In addition to the study conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, explained that there are six thousand births performed at home annually. 2
The most important indicators contained in this study: Most indicators contained in this study are as following: Newborn insured according to their gender for the last 3 years 2008 2009 2010 Male Female Male Female Male Female 202,940 46,196 297,505 63,757 314,468 57,570 Figure(1): Newborn insured according to their gender for the last 3 years Notice from figure number (1) above that the insured number are relatively increased between 2009 and 2010. Also, it is expected to grow in the newborns for 2011 approximately (3%) compared to 2010. 3
Total newborn insured according to their gender during (2008-2010) Male Female 814,913 167,523 Fig (2): Total No. of Newborn insured according to their gender (2008-2010) Notice from figure number 2 that the male newborn numbers in the last three years are more than the females' numbers four times, Saudis & non Saudis. Despite the fact the number between the both genders are equally which revealed from the last census. 4
Newborn insured according to their nationality for the last 3years 2008 2009 2010 Saudi NonSaudi Saudi NonSaudi Saudi NonSaudi 39,576 209,560 68,076 293,186 59,974 312,065 Figure (3):Newborn insured as per their nationality (2008-2010) In figure number (3) we find that the number of non Saudis insured is double the number of Saudi insured since the inception of the implementing CCHI scheme. Also, notice that the numbers of Saudis in 2010G are decreased compared to 2009G, while the non Saudis are increasing. 5
Total newborn insured per their nationality during (2008-2010) Saudi Non Saudi 167,626 814,811 Figure (4) :Total newborn insured/their nationality (2008 2010) Figure (5) : Total newborn insured annually 6
Study Results: It shows that nearly one-third of newborns per year have health insurance. Total Number of the insured newborns in 2010 was (372.039 insured) which the male represent nearly (82%) and the female (18%). The growth in the insured newborns number in 2010 was 3%. In the last three years (2008 up to 2010) the following was noted: - By end of 2010, the insured newborns birth percentage in Saudi Arabia is (37.4%) out of the total number of the insured newborns (982.437 newborn) through the three years. - There was significant variance between the numbers of male insured against numbers of females in all nationalities as the number of males is more than females by about four times. - Also, the number of non Saudi insured newborn is four times more than the Saudis, even after implementing the CCHI scheme on the Saudis working in the private sector. In some studies: - Six thousand births performed at home annually. - Disability or serious illness in newborns is 1 to 1000 births according to MOH annual report issued 2010. This study has accomplished almost 85% of its goals to publish some of its indicators and vitals facts. The disability rate in newborns insured in 2010 was (372 case) and the expected disability rate for 2011 is (383 case). The expected number of the insured newborns for 2011 is (383.136). 7