I watched SiCKO last night, after hearing news that the movie is available on the net. Although it’s not released yet, Michael Moore has no problem with people uploading/downloading the movie from the net and pointed out that copyright laws are “too restrictive”. Of course, the aim of the whole movie was to present the shocking facts to the viewers and I was indeed shocked to learn what kind of health system The US of A, the richest and strongest country in the world, is providing its citizens with.
Although the information presented in the movie were appalling, but the fact is that I’m not the best to review the movie, because a) I suck at reviewing movies. b) I was not exposed to the health system in the
I say that because in terms of GDP per capita (a way to measure the size of a country’s economy), and that’s according to the CIA’s World Factbook, the UAE ranks 3rd amongst the top three countries in terms of GDP, and the US ranks 6th, while Canada comes in 10th place and France, who we’ve seen as the best country in granting its citizens with the best health care and other services (such as laundry), modestly takes on the 23rd place, which really makes the UAE the wealthiest country amongst all the abovementioned countries. Quite strange don’t you think? Yes, but quite true.
I’ve been living in the UAE for almost 5 years now and for the past 4 years I worked at 4 different companies and can honestly tell you that I’ve been terrified of the thought of falling ill, simply because none of the companies I worked for offered medical insurance. Only recently did I change my job to work for a government company, and one of the main reasons I quit my previous job is, yes you figured that right, because they provide me medical insurance, and I’m not talking about top notch medical insurance, no, just regular medical insurance that doesn’t even cover dental, and that’s a revered government department I’m talking about.
It is true that "comprehensive health programmes have been adopted to meet the needs of UAE society, compatible with global objectives of achieving health for all" as mentioned in the UAE Government website, and it’s also true that the country provides its UAE passport holders with free medical care, but even that only allows them to pursue their treatment in public hospitals, and even then, they’d still have to pay for their drugs, let alone someone with no medical insurance whatsoever!
Not so long ago, my brother, who also lives in the UAE, fell ill and was admitted to a private hospital for severe abdominal pains. The first medical procedure they performed on him was to open him up and remove his appendix because that’s what they suspected. He got out of the operation still feeling unimaginable pains and was later diagnosed with the Mediterranean Fever. Now he thanks God every day and night that he works for a company that provides excellent medical insurance, other wise he would’ve ended up paying more than AED 40,000 ($ 10,890), for an operation that was totally unnecessary. One which left his tummy scarred forever.
So what’s a man/woman to do if he/she got sick? He/she can go pay for his/her treatment. But what if he/she got seriously ill? Then he/she can consider him/her self screwed. Very screwed, that is! So much for health care in the wealthiest Arab country!
On another note, I strongly believe that all the state-of-the-art medical facilities provided to the
Good post!
Canada is a great place to be to have a family and for seniors because of the health care system. There’s a huge sense of relief in knowing that if anything wrong happens you are offered the best medical care no matter what your income is. But we pay for medicine here and the waiting times to see specialists is very long.
Anyway I blabber, the movie was an eye opener to how blessed we are here in Canada. But apparently the place to be is France! Wow, and they have the most protests in the world.
Salamet your brother I hope he is doing better
Thanks 7aki, Allah iysalmik :smile
Yes, as shown in the movie, Canadians do enjoy great benefits that other nations don’t.
I’d think twice before immigrating to any other country really.
awalan thx 7aki 3ala ur post taba3 el nagging o beddi mama becoz u gave us the link to the movie which caused me to sleep at 6 Am today and wake up like a drunk to my phisio therapy session(covered by inssurance:) )..at 9:00 Am so many thx 7akookekeh
who sane ya zalameh me and u almost thought the same idea when we watched this movies we need to blog this but as usual u were the fast guy and i was the commentary guy:)
am gonna something realted to the sub i have endured lately for my surgery thing that simply kept me pissed off
and shocked i was reluctnant to talk about it before bas really it sucks
i forgot the word post
i gotta watch that movie…hopefully my ancient pc will let me…yeh free health care rocks…exept for the doctor shortage we are experiencing in canada…:o( yeh who-sane come to canada, u will love it…im sure u will not complain as much as others:) ok i’ll shut up..im not making any sense..i’ve only had one cup of coffee this morning…
U brought it home man !
I work in an insurance company
I wonder how things are here in jordan, everyone has the “happy meal” plan (i.e. all you get is crap and a useless toy to boost)
So things in UAE is just as bad but even more expensive.
Hmm canada does sounds tempting, as for the gitmo medical facilities maybe its a bit blown out of proportion, but i wouldn’t put it beyond them after all, all the illegal immigrants in the united states get free medical care.
So its kinda f’d up like that (its never compassion it just gives them a rzn to deport those illmigs thats all)
قصدك تامين الحكومة الصحي ولا تامين الشركات؟
انا ما بعرف عن تامين الحكومة اشي بس بشوف و بسمع انه بيذلو العالم بالمستشفيات العامة
و الناس بيحزنو يعني اي اشي شبه بلاش بيشيل عبىء عن الميزانية مستعدين يتحملوه
اما التامينات الشركاتية الخاصة ف ادفع تجد ما يسرك
بتضل تدفع بس لو مرة اضطر الواحد لمستشفى لكة بيرجعلك مرة وحدة..صار اي دخلة عالمستشفى بالمئات اذا مش باالوف
يعني التامين بيستاهل
انا ما شفت الفيلم بس بحب مايكل مور بحسة متمرد على كل العالم و مش فارقة..معه
You are welcome ya Nimer
and because ana konet sahraneh lazim you all tisharooh ma3i 
Awal eshi allah la ye7wej 7ada la ta2meen wala la shofet taktor, but it feels very good when you are covered and no matter what happen the insurance will take care. i remember reading in newspaper that UAE is kind of passing a law soon that will force all the companies to insure all its employees as part of their contracts.
Good post.
Well unfortunately, I know nothing about health care in the UAE. Back to the US however yeah I’ve heard many stories of how bad the health care there, I mean I would say as a Jordanian, that health care in Jordan is way better than the US and the UAE, maybe because of the limited population or some other reason!
Anyway el 7amdellah 3ala salamet a5ook, and inshallah ma 7ad yemrad feena
go for it nimir!
yeah, you should watch the movie, or better yet, wait till it’s in theaters. I’d definitely watch it again in theaters!
yeah man, it is as bad here and I assure you, it’s even worse in Jordan …
yes mala2e6, I’m talking about the government-funded national health insurance policies. Watch the movie, it’s amazing!
fingers crossed! because companies here really have no respect to their employees, and certain health policies should be forced on them!
Thanks Jasim w allah iysalmak … but I can’t really agree with you that the Jordanian health care service is better than the US. An uncle of mine died a couple of years ago because a doctor at the JU hospital punctured his pancreas by mistake while operating on him, which lead to fatal complications. Yes, this happens all over the world, but the health services provided to citizens is not top notch.
Sorry to hear about your uncle. Well yeah I guess it’s not top notch! But you know if you have the money there is no problems whatsoever, but the sad part is not everyone has the money!! Again allah ye7meena jamee3an!
As someone who has experienced the US health care system and the UAE system, I’ll take the US one every single day.
As for this film, you really need to look at both sides before you make up your mind. Michael Moore is genius at making propaganda, but you need to realize that is what his movies are. Try this article (http://www.reason.com/news/show/120998.html) for a start, but that is just the mere surface of the dishonesty and b.s. presented there.
PLZ i need this movie .. where can I upload it .. The link that U gave is denied