Minister denies issuing decision to increase prices of medicines
Bid to open police station at airport
KUWAIT CITY, Sept 14: Minister of Health Dr Jamal Al-Harbi denied issuing any decision to increase the prices of medicines and food supplements, clarifying that the ministry issued a decision to reduce the profits obtained from selling medicines and food supplements, reports Al-Shahed daily.
In response to a parliamentary question, Dr Al-Harbi affirmed that the ministry is committed to the unanimous decision taken by GCC ministers of health to use a single currency as standard for the costs of imported medicine as well as to follow the import costs of Saudi Arabia as they are the lowest.
He stressed that he reorganized the inspection and audit office to enhance activeness in handling the observations of the State Audit Bureau and identify the responsible departments.
Meanwhile, according to a parliamentary source, officials affiliated to the government informed MPs that the government will reject any proposal that will require the spending of public funds.
He said the government attributed such a step to the decrease in revenues due to fallen oil prices and budget deficit, adding that the government urged MPs to keep in mind the current critical economic situation of Kuwait.
The source revealed that the government asked for the cooperation of the parliament in preparing laws that can help increase the state revenues and enhance the state’s budget such as Value Added Tax (VAT), selective tax and lifting of subsidy for some services. However, he indicated that majority of the MPs refuse the justifications of the government because of the ongoing excessive expenditures and lack of rationalization.
The source said there are some proposals that represent the constitutional rights of the citizens such as provision of bonuses for military staff, reducing the retirement age, increasing social aid and extending the coverage of health insurance.
The Ministry of Interior is currently preparing for the opening of a police station at Kuwait International Airport, reports Al-Shahid daily.
Previously, Assistant Undersecretary for General Security Major General Ibrahim Al-Tarrah asked Assistant Undersecretary for Border Security Affairs Major General Mansour Al-Awadh to coordinate efforts towards the opening of a police station inside the main airport building.