Blue Lagoon to offer Icelanders free healthcare
The Blue Lagoon is one of Iceland's prime tourist attractions. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Árni Sæberg
Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon has revealed plans to save the Icelandic State millions in medical bills by providing free treatment for Icelandic sufferers of psoriasis.
The Blue Lagoon has provided treatment to sufferers of psoriasis since 1994. The treatment offered is certified by Icelandic health authorities as an official treatment option.
The lagoon was expanded in January this year.
Until now, the cost of the treatment has been covered by the Icelandic social security for patients insured in Iceland. The Blue Lagoon has now decided to provide such treatment for free, saving the State some ISK 25 million (approx. €175,000) a year.
Patients need a prescription from their doctor to qualify for the free treatment, and some 3,000 sessions are expected annually.
Health Minister Kristján Þór Júlíusson (left) and Blue Lagoon CEO Grímur Sæmundsen (right). Photo: Oddgeir Karlsson
Health Minister Kristján Þór Júlíusson has welcomed the initiative and pledged that the money saved will be used to fund other types of healthcare for sufferers of psoriasis and eczema.
“The healing properties of the Blue Lagoon is one of the cornerstones of our operation,” says Blue Lagoon CEO Grímur Sæmundsen.
“Given the limited funding for healthcare services in Iceland, we want to do our bit to build a better society by providing the Iceland health system and patients with free treatment.”
The water at the Blue Lagoon is known for its healing properties. Photo: Iceland Monitor/Árni Sæberg
