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The Health Program Initiative
The program aims to provide medical care for those who cannot otherwise afford it, thereby improving the overall health levels of the Stabl Antar region. We have achieved this by striking a deal with nearby Zahraa and Farouq Hospitals. They provide our members with a 25-50% reduction in treatment fees depending upon the treatment type. 25% price-reduction for medical examinations such as x-ray screening, and 50% reduction for surgery costs.
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To ascertain each applicant’s ability-to-pay for treatment, they undergo a social assessment. Applicants are split into 3 categories according to this: (a), (b) or (c). The health program acts as a health insurance where all members pay 10 L.E/year and in return they receive their required medical care at a discounted price according to their ability-to-pay bracket. Each member is provided with a medical pass they use to receive their treatment in the hospitals. They make their payment to Sohbet Kheir and not the hospital. Sohbet Kheir then settles the balance due with the hospitals at the end of each month.
Category (a) represents the poorest of the poor who require most assistance, category (b) are a little bit better off and category (c) require least assistance. However all members enrolled in the program are in dire need of help, our categorisation scheme is only due to our limited resources currently available.
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Category (a) are relieved of 90-95% of treatment costs.
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Category (b) are relieved of 70% of treatment costs.
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Category (c) are relieved of 50% of treatment costs.
Furthermore those who really cannot afford to pay are further subsidised by Sohbet Kheir.
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Why Have a Health Program?
In 2007 we took a 10% sample of the population who underwent medical examinations and blood tests in attempt to discover the prevalent diseases in Stabl Antar and Ezbet Kheir-allah areas. This was vital since our field research revealed that the residents themselves could not account of their illness. More often than not they were unaware they were ill in the first place or in need of medical attention. From this examination sample we found that many residents were indeed in poor health, with 17% suffering from severe illness and in many cases this affected the main income earner, thus jeopardising the income stream of the whole family. In addition many came to us looking for support for their medical expenses. It was clear that a health program was crucial otherwise without a fit and healthy workforce the region is sure to suffer from yet more poverty. The importance of education was also evident, as the better educated the residents were, the better health awareness they had on average.
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| The list of prevalent diseases discovered by examination results shown below: |
- 60% suffer from different skin and intestinal diseases
- 80% of children suffer from malnutrition
And that the following were very common amongst all examined:
- Disc and back pains
- Rheumatism
- Kidney diseases
- Chest disease and allergies
- High blood pressure and diabetes
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