Dubai:  The UAE Government has announced a comprehensive health insurance scheme for government employees and their dependents, with immediate effect.

Government employees, UAE nationals as well as expatriate residents, will have access to a range of health care services.

Commenting on the new scheme, Ahmad Bin Byat, Secretary General of the Executive Council, said: "Our staff are our most important asset and their continued good health remains one of our key priorities."

"Therefore the government has made a commitment to provide comprehensive health care cover to all its employees as well as their dependents."

The Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, Qadi Al Murooshid, said the DHA is also on schedule to make a full announcement later this year about the roll-out of a universal health care scheme in Dubai.