The move,
effective March 22, followed a recent decision by the Health Authority-Abu
Dhabi (HAAD) to include medical treatment for work-related injuries on the
coverage for basic healthcare services.
“These
injuries include those that have been sustained by an employee at his/her
place of work or due to his/her work, and will not result in an increase in
the premiums of the policies,” said a statement released by the company.
Asked if heat
stroke or other heat-related illnesses are included in the revised policy, Dr
Michael Bitzer, CEO of Daman on Sunday confirmed its coverage but only as a
result of working outdoors.
“Protective
measures by employers are of utmost importance in preventing work-related
injuries from occurring. However, in the incident where a worker may suffer
from a heat stroke as a result of working in the sun, Daman will cover the
medical cost of treatment as a work-related injury,” he told Khaleej Times.
Previously,
medical treatment for such conditions fell under Daman’s general exclusions
list, even on the enhanced plan, in accordance with HAAD’s Health Insurance
Scheme.
The Ministry
of Labour’s workmen’s compensation ordinance is designed to protect the
employer against their liabilities to employees in respect to injuries
suffered by them in the course of employment. —