3,608 cases of citizens faking disability uncovered in review

Culprits illegally benefited from KD 15m in privileges

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 13: The automated review of the disabilty files from October 2016 until August 2017 uncovered 3,608 cases of citizens faking disability to benefit illegally from an estimated KD 15 million in privileges the government provides for people with special need per year, reports Al-Jarida daily quoting reliable sources.

The same sources added the concerned medical committee changed the description of 680 files from severe disability to zero disability after the automated evaluation exposed beneficiaries who claimed severe disability to receive an estimated KD 6 million. It also discovered 1,253 files claiming medium disability to receive KD 4.9 million, in addition to 1,675 files with slight disabilities that received KD 3.7 million.

Sources stated roughly KD 59 million was paid illegally in the form of allowances to women having disabled people in their custody, as well as driver and servant allowances. They noted KD 23.8 million of the sum was paid in monthly allowances to 8,961 beneficiaries, KD 9 million to 2,916 women custodians of disabled people and KD 25.7 million to 17,352 beneficiaries in driver and servant allowances.

Meanwhile, the committee dismissed 5,139 applications filed by 3,494 persons who presented more than one application claiming dual disability. They also cancelled 7,081 files whose holders are either dead or recovered, and detected 7,000 files with expired medical certificates not renewed for one or two years.

It is worthy of note that Public Authority for Disabled Affairs granted six months grace period for the renewal of expired medical certificates, and all files that were not renewed during the period have since been closed.

Meanwhile, Cairo University has started preparations for opening its branch in Kuwait, following in the footsteps of Alexandria University, reports Al-Shahed daily quoting resources.

Sources said Cairo University intends to submit a request to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, through the Private Universities Council, to open its branch in Ahmadi Governorate. Sources disclosed the branch will offer various fields of specialization, including the faculties of Medicine and Dentistry.

Sources added the Arab Contractors Company will execute the project once the request is approved, affirming the university’s fees will be low as its objective is to focus on its educational mission rather than financial gains. Sources went on to say the university will hire Egyptian teachers.

Furthermore, the Kuwaiti National Industries Group Holding has investments worth $2.5 billion in Jordan, said the chairman on Tuesday.

Jordanian Premiership, in a statement, quoted Al-Saad as saying that the group has plans to expand the businesses in the kingdom.

The statement quoted Jordanian Prime Minister Dr Hani Al-Mulki, who hosted a delegation of the group headed by Al-Saad, as pledging to provide it with all necessary facilities to grow its investments in the country.

The Kuwaiti group, established in 1961, seeks to expand its projects in various sectors in the country.